and we will give thee a trim dinner thereafter, when thou
hast been here and there in the town and done thine errand;
and then shalt thou drink a cup and sing me a song, and so home
again in the cool of the evening."

Ralph seemed a little troubled at her word, and he said:
"Nay, gossip, though I thank thee for all these good things
as though I had them, yet must I ride away south straightway
after I have breakfasted, and said one word to the goodman.
Goodman, how call ye the next town southward, and how far
is it thither?"

Quoth Clement: "My son, what hast thou to do with riding south?
As thou wottest, going hence south ye must presently ride the hill-country;
and that is no safe journey for a lonely man, even if he be a doughty
knight like to thee, lord."

Said Ralph, reddening withal: "I have an errand that way."

"An errand of King Peter's or thine own?" said Clement.

"Of King Peter's, if ye must wot," said Ralph.

Clement were no chapman had he not seen that the lad was lying;
so he said:

"Fair lord, saving your worship, how would it be as to the speeding
of King Peter's errand, if I brought thee before our mayor, and swore
the peace against thee; so that I might keep thee in courteous prison
till I had sent to thy father of thy whereabouts?"