"After all it is but a carved fish on a
red stone," he said.
"Thou dost not ask what it betokeneth?"
Humphrey glanced up quickly. "Thou canst make merry over my dreams," he
said, "and what they betoken. And here thou comest with a circlet of
gold crowned with a red stone having the likeness of a fish on it. And
thou sayest it betokeneth somewhat. Thou mayest no more deride my
dreams."
"Nay, nay, my good Humphrey," laughed the boy. "Thou shalt have thy
dreams if thou wilt. But my uncle's priory is dedicated to St. Wilfrid,
who taught the Sussex people to catch all fish, when before they knew
only how to catch eels. Therefore my uncle putteth a fish on the ring,
that whosoever of his friends that seeth it may know it is the ring of
Roger Aungerville, prior of St. Wilfrid's."
"So doth the fish of thine uncle give us lodging and safety," observed
Humphrey, thoughtfully. "It is a good ring. I will hold it with all
care." And he drew forth the small pouch of gold pieces which Lady De
Aldithely had given him, and put the ring carefully inside it. "It
hangeth about my neck, thou seest," he said, as he replaced the pouch,
"and no man may take it unless he first taketh my head.
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