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The Well at the World's End: a tale by William Morris
page 82 of 727 (11%)
thou mayst do no better, lord. But thou, carle, who art thou,
who knowest the inside of our Burg so well, though I know thee not,
for as well as I know our craftsmen and vavassors?"

Then Roger's words hung on his lips awhile, and the knight bent
his brow on him, till at last he said, "Sir Captain, I was minded
to lie, and say that I am this young knight's serving-man."
The captain broke in on him grimly, "Thou wert best not lie."

"Yea, sir," quoth Roger, "I deemed, as it was on my tongue's end, that thou
wouldst find me out, so I have nought to do but tell thee the very sooth:
this it is: I am a man made masterless by the thieves of the Dry Tree.
From my land at Hampton under Scaur have I been driven, my chattels have
been lifted, and my friends slain; and therefore by your leave would I
ride in the host of the Burg, that I may pay back the harm which I had,
according to the saw, 'better bale by breeding bale.' So, lord, I ask thee
wilt thou lend me the sword and give me the loaf, that I may help both thee,
and the Burg, and me?"

The captain looked at him closely and sharply, while the carle
faced him with open simple eyes, and at last he said:
"Well, carle, thou wert about to name thyself this young
knight's serving-man; be thou even so whiles he abideth in the Burg;
and when he leaveth the Burg then come back to me here any day
before noon, and may be I shall then put a sword in thy fist
and horse between thy thighs. But," (and he wagged his head
threateningly at Roger) "see that thou art at the Flower de
Luce when thou art called for."

Roger held his peace and seemed somewhat abashed at this word,
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