that is to say that he spake, and Ralph made semblance of listening.

Now as is aforesaid Richard was old and wise, and he loved
Ralph much, more belike than Lord Blaise his proper master,
whereas he had no mind for chaffer, or aught pertaining to it:
so he took heed of Ralph and saw that he was sad and weary-hearted;
so on the sixth day of their abiding at Whitwall, in the morning
when all the chapmen were gone about their business, and he and
Ralph were left alone in the Hall, he spake to Ralph and said:
"This is no prison, lord." "Even so," quoth Ralph.
"Nay, if thou doubtest it," said Richard, "let us go
to the door and try if they have turned the key and shot
the bolt on us." Ralph smiled faintly and stood up, and said:
"I will go with thee if thou willest it, but sooth to say I
shall be but a dull fellow of thine to-day." Said Richard:
"Wouldst thou have been better yesterday, lord, or the day before?"
"Nay," said Ralph. "Wilt thou be better to-morrow?" said Richard.
Ralph shook his head. Said Richard: "Yea, but thou wilt be,
or thou mayst call me a fool else." "Thou art kind, Richard,"
said Ralph; "and I will come with thee, and do what thou
biddest me; but I must needs tell thee that my heart is sick."
"Yea," quoth Richard, "and thou needest not tell me so much,
dear youngling; he who runs might read that in thee.
But come forth."

So into the street they went, and Richard brought Ralph into
the market-place, and showed him where was Blaise's booth
(for he was thriving greatly) but Ralph would not go anigh it
lest his brother should entangle him in talk; and they went
into the Guildhall which was both great and fair, and the smell