brought me to Bertha, the wife of Giles the bowyer, who had been her nurse
in childhood. I had forgotten all that had passed, and deemed myself the
son of the good citizen, but since I have heard the truth my memory has
awakened somewhat, and I have a dim recollection of a lordly castle and of
my father and mother."

"And they say, Walter, that you are going with Sir Walter Manny, with the
force which is just sailing to the assistance of Lady De Montford."

"That is so, Ralph, and the good knight has taken me among his esquires,
young as I am, although I might well have looked for nothing better than to
commence, for two years at least, as a page, seeing that I am but eighteen
now. Now I shall ride with him into the battles and shall have as good a
chance as the others of gaining honour and winning my spurs."

"I have made up my mind that I will go with you, Master Walter, if you will
take me; each squire has a man-at-arms who serves him, and I will give you
good and faithful service if you will take me with you. I spoke to the
smith, my master, last night when I heard the news, and as my
apprenticeship is out next week he was willing enough to give me the few
days which remain. Once out of my apprenticeship I may count to be a man,
and seeing that I am nineteen, and as I may say well grown of my years,
methinks I am fit for service as a man-at-arms, and I would rather fight
behind you than labour all my life in the smithy."

"I shall be glad indeed, Ralph, to have you with me if such be really your
wish, and I do not think that Sir Walter Manny will say nay, for they have
been beating up for recruits through the kingdom, and we proved yesterday
that you have courage as well as strength. If he will consent I should be
glad indeed to have so brave a comrade with me, so we may consider that