"So it is," said Ralph.

"And whither away?" said the monk; "hast thou some kinsman or friend
in the town?"

"Nay," said Ralph, "I seek a good hostelry where I may abide
the night for my money."

The monk shook his head and said: "See ye the folk? It is holiday time,
and midsummer after haysel. Ye shall scarce get lodging outside our house.
But what then? Come thou thither straightway and have harbour of the best,
and see our prior, who loveth young and brisk men-at-arms like to thee.
Lo now! the throng openeth a little; I will walk by thy bridle and lead thee
the shortest road thither."

Ralph gainsaid him not, and they bored through the throng of the street till
they came into the market-square, which was very great and clean, paved with
stones all over: tall and fair houses rose up on three sides of it,
and on the fourth was the Great Church which made those houses seem but low:
most of it was new-built; for the lord Abbot that then was, though he had
not begun it, had taken the work up from his forerunner and had pushed
it forward all he might; for he was very rich, and an open-handed man.
Like dark gold it showed under the evening sun, and the painted and gilded
imagery shone like jewels upon it.

"Yea," said the monk, as he noted Ralph's wonder at this wonder;
"a most goodly house it is, and happy shall they be that dwell there."

Therewith he led Ralph on, turning aside through the great square.