And there about the stables
he stayed; for the grooms took to him, and evidently regarded him as
some new Solomon.
The impatient Walter Skinner listened as long as he could, but seeing,
at last, that Humphrey's wisdom was from an unfailing supply, he went
back to the inn, after beckoning one of the grooms to him and giving
him a piece of money, in return for which, as he pompously instructed
him, he was to keep an eye on Humphrey, and on no account to allow him
to escape him; at the same time he threw out hints about the king and
his wrath if such a thing should happen.
The groom, who was himself a Saxon, and who hated all king's men,
listened respectfully, took the coin, said that he had but two eyes,
but he would use them to see all that went on before him, and returned
to the stables, where he at once told Humphrey what had passed. "I have
a hatred to the king and his men," declared the groom.
"And what Saxon hath not?" asked Humphrey. "I have lived forty years,
and in all that time the Normans grow worse, and this John is worst of
all."
"Perchance thy master is oppressed by him," ventured the groom.
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