and asking them of theirs, if there be any tales concerning
the Well at the World's End working in their bellies, then shall
I be the midwife to bring them to birth. Ha? Will it do?"

"Yea," said Ralph, "but how long wilt thou be?" Said Richard:
"I shall come back speedily if I find the land barren;
but if the field be in ear I shall tarry to harvest it.
So keep thou thy soul in patience." "And what shall I do now?"
said Ralph. "Wear away the hours," said Richard.
"And to begin with, come back within the gates with me and let
us go look at thy brother's booth in the market-place: it is
the nethermost of a goodly house which he is minded to dwell in;
and he will marry a wife and sit down in Whitwall, so well
he seemeth like to thrive; for they have already bidden him to
the freedom of the city, and to a brother of the Faring-Knights,
whereas he is not only a stirring man, but of good lineage also:
for now he hideth not that he is of the Upmeads kindred."



CHAPTER 14

Ralph Falleth in With Another Old Friend


Ralph went with Richard now without more words, and they came
into the market-place and unto Blaise's booth and house,
which was no worse than the best in the place; and the painters
and stainers were at work on the upper part of it to make it as
bright and goodly as might be with red and blue and green and gold,