Fast eBooks

"
"Besides," said John, "the Socman of Minstead is a by-word
through the forest, from Bramshaw Hill to Holmesley Walk. He is
a drunken, brawling, perilous churl, as you may find to your
cost."
"The more reason that I should strive to mend him," quoth
Alleyne. "There is no need to urge me, friends, for my own
wishes would draw me to France, and it would be a joy to me if I
could go with you. But indeed and indeed it cannot be, so here I
take my leave of you, for yonder square tower amongst the trees
upon the right must surely be the church of Minstead, and I may
reach it by this path through the woods."
"Well, God be with thee, lad!" cried the archer, pressing Alleyne
to his heart. "I am quick to love, and quick to hate and 'fore
God I am loth to part."
"Would it not be well," said John, "that we should wait here, and
see what manner of greeting you have from your brother. You may
prove to be as welcome as the king's purveyor to the village
dame."
"Nay, nay," he answered; "ye must not bide for me, for where I go
I stay.


Pages:
130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154