he wished he could die. Woe had the knight's words brought to him.

"Indeed, and I meant no disrespect, Sir Launcelot. Indeed--" and said
no more for he knew he would weep if he spoke further. So he saw not
the dancing laughter in the knight's eye, nor the wide grins on the
faces of the others.

"Yet we must punish thee, lad. So then prepare you to accompany us.
Get your horse at once. Nor will we listen to any prayer you may make
for not going because of your youth."

Agape, Allan turned to look at him. For he knew he could not have
heard aright. But now, as he looked, he saw that Sir Launcelot was
laughing and then as he turned wondering, he saw his own lord and the
King and the other knights watching him with great glee.

"You mean then, that I--I--may go with all of you!"

And then so that there would be no chance of its being otherwise, he
rushed in mad haste to get his horse. Joy was the wings which made his
feet fly. He came back in quick time, a bit uncertain, riding forward
slowly, diffidently, and stopped a little way from them, awaiting
word. Then did Sir Launcelot ride to him and place kindly arm about
the youth and bring him among them all.

Now Sir Dagonet was with them and they rode forth.

With the equipage came the hounds, for the first day of their journey
was to be given over to hunting. There came also the master of the
hounds who was to return with them at the close of the hunt.