forth the good seed to others," he murmured to himself, as he guided
his visitor across the moonlit court up the stairs to the chamber
where Stephen lay fast asleep.



CHAPTER X. TWO VOCATIONS



"The smith, a mighty man is he
With large and sinewy hands;
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands."

LONGFELLOW.


Stephen's first thought in the morning was whether the ex voto
effigy of poor Spring was put in hand, while Ambrose thought of
Tibble's promised commendation to the printer. They both, however,
found their affairs must needs wait. Orders for weapons for the
tilting-match had come in so thickly the day before that every hand
must be employed on executing them, and the Dragon court was ringing
again with the clang of hammers and screech of grind-stones.

Stephen, though not yet formally bound, was to enter on his
apprentice life at once; and Ambrose was assured by Master Headley
that it was of no use to repair to any of the dignified clergy of
St. Paul's before mid-day, and that he had better employ the time in