There was a fellow who answered the mass, and Master Richard knelt by
himself at the end of the church.

When mass was over the two others went out without a word, leaving him
there. He said _ad sextam_ then, and was setting out once more when the
priest came back with a jug of ale and a piece of meat and bread which
he offered him, telling him he would have given him nothing if he had
begged.

Master Richard refused the meat and the ale, and took the bread.

The priest asked him his business, and he said he was for London to see
the King.

The priest asked him whether he would speak with the King, and he told
him Yes if our Lord willed.

"And what have you to say to him?" asked the priest.

"I do not know," said Master Richard.

The priest looked at him, and said something about a pair of fools, but
Master Richard did not understand him then, for he had not heard yet the
tale that the King was mad or near it.

So he kissed the priest's skirt, and asked his blessing; then he went
down the steps to the little holy well (which makes me think it to be
saint Pancras's church) and drank a little water after signing himself
with it and commending himself to the saint, and went on his way. The