service, of having helped. Without your help, success for him will be
so much less likely. Will you help him Launcelot? Think well before
you make reply."

Not at once did Sir Launcelot answer. Yet it was the best within him
that did give final utterance.

"I promise you father, that such help as I can give the lad I shall.
Much have I learned. And with these things that I have learned he
shall be guided. No bitterness mine. Since I am not to be the finder
of the Holy Grail, I pledge you now my aid to Allan."

"Launcelot, so little fails you for that needed greatness. None have
I loved so much. If you have sinned you have been great and glorious
even in the sinning.

"Never have you been finer than now. Allan will need your help, your
strength. There shall be a maid too, to help him. The threads have
also been woven for that now. When the time shall come, you will call
this lad Galahad, the Chaste. Treat him ever as your son, Launcelot."

"Son and comrade, too, he shall be for me. Father, I thank you."

"So then I go, son. I could not love you more were you less a mortal
sinner."




CHAPTER THIRTEEN