And no man knoweth when they
will die, for that is a matter of the king's pleasure."
The old verger now seemed to fall into a reverie, in which he remained
so long that Hugo rose from the stone bench, thus rousing him. Slowly
he raised himself from his seat, having apparently forgotten all that
he had just been saying, and conducted them to the entrance, where he
bade them adieu.
"I fear to bide here longer," said Humphrey, as they returned to the
canon's house. "Let us away to the fens on the east of this place, and,
through their wilds, make our way southward."
Hugo reflected. Then he answered, "Thou art right, Humphrey. It were
not best to journey so near the king's castles and dungeons. We will
away to-morrow morn to the fens."
This, however, they were unable to do. The canon desired not to part
with his friend's nephew so soon. Seeing which, Humphrey consoled
himself for the delay by buying ample stores of provisions, with which
he so loaded the horses that the canon wondered. "There be towns all
the way from hence to London, and inns in all the towns," he said.
"Thou mayest journey without that packhorse load.
Pages:
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163