possessed the amount of comforts to be found in the dwellings of the
superior class of Londoners. Stephen was inclined to look with
contempt upon the effeminacy of a churl merchant.

"No churl," returned Ambrose, "if manners makyth man, as we saw at
Winchester."

"Then what do they make of that cowardly clown, his cousin?"

Ambrose laughed, but said, "Prove we our gentle blood at least by
not brawling with the fellow. Master Headley will soon teach him to
know his place."

"That will matter nought to us. To-morrow shall we be with our
uncle Hal. I only wish his lord was not of the ghostly sort, but
perhaps he may prefer me to some great knight's service. But oh!
Ambrose, come and look. See! The fellow they call Smallbones is
come out to the fountain in the middle of the court with a bucket in
each hand. Look! Didst ever see such a giant? He is as big and
brawny as Ascapart at the bar-gate at Southampton. See! he lifts
that big pail full and brimming as though it were an egg shell. See
his arm! 'Twere good to see him wield a hammer! I must look into
his smithy before going forth to-morrow."

Stephen clenched his fist and examined his muscles ere donning his
best mourning jerkin, and could scarce be persuaded to complete his
toilet, so much was he entertained with the comings and goings in
the court, a little world in itself, like a college quadrangle. The
day's work was over, the forges out, and the smiths were lounging
about at ease, one or two sitting on a bench under a large elm-tree