huckstering desire for getting money, and for ignoble ease and comfort.
Some day it may be that the world will change, and that war may become a
thing of the past; but to my mind, boy, I doubt whether men will be any
happier or better for it. The priests, no doubt, would tell you otherwise;
but then you see I am an armourer, and so perhaps am hardly a fair judge on
the matter, seeing that without wars my craft would come to an end."

Walter remained in thought for some time. "It seems to me, Master Geoffrey,
that while wars may suit strong and courageous men, women would rejoice
were such things to be at an end."

"Women suffer most from wars, no doubt," Geoffrey said, "and yet do you
mark that they are more stirred by deeds of valour and chivalry than are we
men; that they are ever ready to bestow their love upon those who have won
honour and glory in war, even although the next battle may leave them
widows. This has been always somewhat of a marvel to me; but I suppose that
it is human nature, and that admiration for deeds of valour and bravery is
ingrained in the heart of man, and will continue until such times come that
the desire for wealth, which is ever on the increase, has so seized all men
that they will look with distaste upon everything which can interfere with
the making of money, and will regard the man who amasses gold by trading as
a higher type than he who does valiant deeds in battle."

"Surely that can never be," Walter said indignantly.

"There is no saying," the armourer answered; "at any rate, Walter, it will
matter little to you or to me, for many generations must pass before such a
state of things can come about."

Two days later Walter, who had been across into the city, returned in a