Then at last came the question to Ralph concerning his adventures,
and he enforced himself to speak, and told all as truly as he might,
without telling of the Lady and her woeful ending.

Thus they gave and took in talk, and Ralph did what he might to seem
like other folk, that he might nurse his grief in his own heart as far
asunder from other men as might be.

So they rode on till it was even, and came to Whitwall before
the shutting of the gates and rode into the street, and found it
a fair and great town, well defensible, with high and new walls,
and men-at-arms good store to garnish them.

Ralph rode with his brother to the hostel of the chapmen,
and there they were well lodged.



CHAPTER 13

Richard Talketh With Ralph Concerning the Well at the World's End.
Concerning Swevenham


On the morrow Blaise went to his chaffer and to visit the men of the Port
at the Guildhall: he bade Ralph come with him, but he would not,
but abode in the hall of the hostel and sat pondering sadly while men came
and went; but he heard no word spoken of the Well at the World's End.
In like wise passed the next day and the next, save that Richard was among
those who came into the hall, and he talked long with Ralph at whiles;