in at one gate I should go out by the other, for why
should I dally with a grief that may not be amended.
For indeed I wot that thou shalt soon forget to wish to see me,
either at Bourton Abbas or elsewhere; so I will say no more
than once again farewell."

Then she came close to him and put her hands on his shoulders
and kissed his mouth; and then she turned away swiftly,
caught up her cloak, and gat lightly into the saddle,
and so shook her reins and rode away east toward Hampton,
and left Ralph standing there downcast and pondering many things.
It was still so early in the summer morning, and he knew
so little what to do, that presently he turned and walked
back to his lair amongst the hazels, and there he lay down,
and his thoughts by then were all gone back again to the lovely
lady whom he had delivered, and he wondered if he should ever
see her again, and, sooth to say, he sorely desired to see her.
Amidst such thoughts he fell asleep again, for the night yet
owed him something of rest, so young as he was and so hard
as he had toiled, both body and mind, during the past day.



CHAPTER 11

Now Must Ralph Ride For It


When he awoke again the sun was shining through the hazel leaves, though it
was yet early; he arose and looked to his horse, and led him out of the hazel