And erstwhile I was fond of laughing, and glad to have a merry heart.
Now merry hearts be few in England, for they who have not already
grief, have anxiety and dread for their portion." He paused and then
went on: "The same hand that did send me news of the king's
neighborhood did add something more thereto. A fierce little
swaggering, strutting man did come upon the king at Newark and did tell
him that Josceline, meaning thee, had fled, and that he had been
pursuing thee. Didst thou know of it?"
"Yea," replied Hugo, with a smile. Then turning to the serving-man he
said, "Humphrey, since the canon loveth to be merry, tell thou him of
the hedgehog and the Isle of Axholme."
Humphrey did as he was requested, and was amply rewarded by the
appreciation of his listener. "I see thou art worth a troop, my good
Humphrey," he said, when the serving-man had finished. "Lady De
Aldithely did well to trust thee with this lad. But now to my news once
more. The king, in his wrath, will scour the country roundabout, and
thou mayest not escape from him as thou didst from thine other
pursuers.
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