of the new-shaven oak (for the roof was not yet painted) brought back
to Ralph's mind the days of his childhood when he was hanging
about the building of the water-reeve's new house at Upmeads.
Then they went into the Great Church and heard a Mass at the altar
of St. Nicholas, Ralph's very friend; and the said church was
great to the letter, and very goodly, and somewhat new also,
since the blossom-tide of Whitwall was not many years old:
and the altars of its chapels were beyond any thing for fairness
that Ralph had seen save at Higham on the Way.

But when they came forth from the church, Ralph looked on Richard with a face
that was both blank and weary, as who should say: "What is to do now?"
And forsooth so woe-begone he looked, that Richard, despite his sorrow
and trouble for him, could scarce withhold his laughter. But he said:
"Well, foster son (for thou art pretty much that to me), since the good town
pleasureth thee little, go we further afield."

So he led him out of the market-place, and brought him
to the east gate of the town which hight Petergate Bar,
and forth they went and out into the meadows under the walls,
and stayed him at a little bridge over one of the streams,
for it was a land of many waters; there they sat down in a nook,
and spake Richard to Ralph, saying:

"Lord Ralph, ill it were if the Upmeads kindred came to naught,
or even to little. Now as for my own master Blaise, he hath,
so please you, the makings of a noble chapman, but not of a
noble knight; though he sayeth that when he is right rich
he will cast aside all chaffer; naught of which he will do.
As for the others, my lord Gregory is no better, or indeed worse,