And why should these men-at-arms
look at us both as if we went out to become food for crows? Did I not
dream of acorns last night, and in my dream did I not eat one? And what
doth that betoken but that I shall gradually rise to riches and honor?
Let the men-at-arms look to themselves. They will have need of all
their eyes when that rascal Robert Sadler cometh galloping again to the
castle with the king's minions at his back."
Now all this grumbling was not done in idleness. For all the time
Humphrey was busy filling certain bags which were to be swung across
the haunches of the horses he and Hugo were to ride. Brawn, meal for
cakes, grain for the horses, and various other sundries did Humphrey
stow away in the bags which were to supply their need at such times as,
on account of pursuit, they would not dare to venture inside a town.
"And what care I that the interdict forbiddeth us meat as if we were in
Lent," grumbled Humphrey as he packed the brawn. "Were the king a good
king, meat would be our portion as in other years. Since he is the bad
king he is, I will e'en eat the brawn and any other meat to be had.
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