wn, his cousin?"

Ambrose laughed, but said, "Prove we our gentle blood at least by not
brawling with the fellow. Master Headley will soon teach him to know
his place."

"That will matter nought to us. To-morrow shall we be with our uncle
Hal. I only wish his lord was not of the ghostly sort, but perhaps he
may prefer me to some great knight's service. But oh! Ambrose, come
and look. See! The fellow they call Smallbones is come out to the
fountain in the middle of the court with a bucket in each hand. Look!
Didst ever see such a giant? He is as big and brawny as Ascapart at the
bar-gate at Southampton. See! he lifts that big pail full and brimming
as though it were an egg shell. See his arm! 'Twere good to see him
wield a hammer! I must look into his smithy before going forth to-
morrow."

Stephen clenched his fist and examined his muscles ere donning his best
mourning jerkin, and could scarce be persuaded to complete his toilet,
so much was he entertained with the comings and goings in the court, a
little world in itself, like a college quadrangle. The day's work was
over, the forges out, and the smiths were lounging about at ease, one or
two sitting on a bench under a large elm-tree beside the central well,
enjoying each his tankard of ale. A few more were watching Poppet being
combed down, and conversing with the newly-arrived grooms. One was
carrying a little child in his arms, and a young man and maid sitting on
the low wall round the well, seemed to be carrying on a courtship over
the pitcher that stood waiting to be filled. Two lads were playing at
skittles, children were running up and down the stairs and along the
wooden galleries, and men and women went and came by the entrance
gateway between the two effigies of knights in armour. Some were
servants bringing helm or gauntlet for repair, or taking the like away.
Some might be known by their flat caps to be apprentices, and two
substantial burgesses walked in together, as if to greet Master Headley
on his return. Immediately after, a man-cook appeared with white cap
and apron, bearing aloft a covered dish surrounded by a steamy cloud,
followed by other servants bearing other meats; a big bell began to
sound, the younger men and apprentices gathered together and the
brothers descended the stairs, and entered by the big door into the same
large hall where they had been received. The spacious hearth was full
of green boughs, with a beaupot o