Roger nodded his head and grumbled somewhat, and they made
no stay except that now and again Ralph drew rein to look
at goodly things in the street, for there were many open
booths therein, so that the whole street looked like a market.
The houses were goodly of building, but not very tall,
the ways wide and well-paved. Many folk were in the street,
going up and down on their errands, and both men and women of them
seemed to Ralph stout and strong, but not very fair of favour.
Withal they seemed intent on their business, and payed little
heed to Ralph and his fellow, though he was by his attire
plainly a stranger.

Now Ralph sees a house more gaily adorned than most, and a sign hung
out from it whereon was done an image of St. Loy, and underneath the same
a booth on which was set out weapons and war-gear exceeding goodly;
and two knaves of the armourer were standing by to serve folk,
and crying their wares with "what d'ye lack?" from time to time.
So he stayed and fell to looking wistfully at the gleam and glitter
of those fair things, till one of the aforesaid knaves came to his
side and said:

"Fair Sir, surely thou lackest somewhat; what have we here for
thy needs?" So Ralph thought and called to mind that strong
little steel axe of the man whom he had slain yesterday,
and asked for the sight of such a weapon, if he might perchance
cheapen it. And the lad brought a very goodly steel axe,
gold-inlaid about the shaft, and gave him the price thereof,
which Ralph deemed he might compass; so he brought round
his scrip to his hand, that he might take out the money.
But while his hand was yet in the bag, out comes the master-armourer,