As Ralph came riding up with Roger beside him, one of the guard laid his spear
across and bade them stand, and the captain spake in a dry cold voice:
"Whence comest thou, man-at-arms?" "From the Abbey of St. Mary at Higham,"
said Ralph. "Yea," said the captain, smiling grimly, "even so I
might have deemed: thou wilt be one of the Lord Abbot's lily lads."
"No I am not," quoth Ralph angrily. "Well, well," said the captain,
"what is thy name?"

"Ralph Motherson," quoth Ralph, knitting his brow. Said the captain
"And whither wilt thou?" Said Ralph, "On mine own errands."
"Thou answerest not over freely," quoth the captain.
Said Ralph, "Then is it even; for thou askest freely enough."
"Well, well," said the captain, grinning in no unfriendly wise,
"thou seemest a stout lad enough; and as to my asking, it is my
craft as captain of the North Gate: but now tell me friendly,
goest thou to any kinsman or friend in the Burg?"

Then Ralph's brow cleared and he said, "Nay, fair sir."
"Well then," said the captain, "art thou but riding straight
through to another gate, and so away again?" "Nay," said Ralph,
"if I may, I would abide here the night over, or may-happen longer."
"Therein thou shalt do well, young man," said the captain;
"then I suppose thou wilt to some hostelry? tell me which one."

Said Ralph, "Nay, I wot not to which one, knowing not the town."
But Roger close by him spake and said: "My lord shall go to the Flower
de Luce, which is in the big square."

"Truly," said the captain, "he goes to a good harbour; and moreover,
fair sir, to-morrow thou shalt see a goodly sight from thine inn;