of cloth, the third was of white and blue silk, to be worn on grand
occasions.


"You look a very pretty figure, Walter," Geoffrey said, "and will be able
to hold your own among the young gallants of the court. If you lack
somewhat of courtly manners it will matter not at all, since you are
leaving so soon for the wars.

The dress sets off your figure, which is fully two years in advance of your
age, seeing that hard work has widened you out and thickened your muscles.
I need not tell you, lad, not to be quarrelsome, for that was never your
way; but just at first your companions may try some jests with you, as is
always the manner of young men with newcomers, but take them in a good
spirit and be sure that, seeing the strength of arm and skill which you
showed yesterday and the day before, none will care to push matters with
you unduly."

One of the journeymen accompanied Walter to Westminster to carry up from
the boat the valise with his clothes and the armour which he had worn in
the sports. Sir Walter received the lad with much kindness and introduced
him to his future companions. They were five in number; the eldest was a
man of some thirty years old, a Hainaulter, who had accompanied Sir Walter
Manny to England at the time when the latter first came over as a young
squire in the suite of the Princess Philippa. He was devotedly attached to
the knight, his master, and although he might several times have received
the rank of knighthood for his bravery in the field, he preferred remaining
in his position as esquire and faithful friend of his master.

The other four were between the ages of nineteen and twenty-one, and all