and all fair colours, and already was there a sign hung out of
the fruitful tree by the water-side. As for the booth, it was full
within of many wares and far-fetched and dear-bought things;
as pieces of good and fine cloth plumbed with the seal of
the greatest of the cities; and silk of Babylon, and spices
of the hot burning islands, and wonders of the silversmith's
and the goldsmith's fashioning, and fair-wrought weapons and armour
of the best, and every thing that a rich chapman may deal in.
And amidst of it all stood Blaise clad in fine black cloth
welted with needle work, and a gold chain about his neck.
He was talking with three honourable men of the Port, and they
were doing him honour with kind words and the bidding of help.
When he saw Ralph and Richard come in, he nodded to them,
as to men whom he loved, but were beneath him in dignity,
and left not talking with the great men. Richard grinned
a little thereat, as also did Ralph in his heart; for he thought:
"Here then is one of the Upmeads kin provided for, so that soon
he may buy with his money two domains as big as Upmeads and call
them his manors."

Now Ralph looks about him, and presently he sees a man come
forward to meet him from the innermost of the booth, and lo! there
was come Clement Chapman. His heart rose at the sight of him,
and he thought of his kind gossip till he could scarce withhold
his tears. But Clement came to him and cast his arms about him,
and kissed him, and said: "Thou shalt pardon me for this, lord,
for it is the kiss of the gossip which she bade me give thee,
if I fell in with thee, as now I have, praised be the Saints!
Yet it irks me that I shall see little more of thee at this time,
for to-morrow early I must needs join myself to my company;