e sons of men of estate.

So when the said men-at-arms rode into the garth of a bright May
evening, and they all glittering like so many heaps of sunlit ice, all
folk came out a-doors, and Osberne stood before them all, clad in
scarlet raiment, for Nicholas the goodman hung back somewhat, as was
his wont when he deemed he saw peril at hand. Then Osberne hailed the
newcomers, and asked no questions of them, and made no words save to
welcome them and bid them in; and they got off their horses and
entered the house, one score and five all told. And there they unarmed
them, and all service was done them, and then meat and drink were set
on the board and all folk fared to supper, and it was soon seen that
both sides were friendly and sweet together. And Osberne set the
Knight who was their captain at his right hand, and they talked
merrily together. But when supper was done the Knight spake unto
Osberne and Nicholas and said: "Sirs, is it free for me to tell out
our errand into the Dale?" Osberne answered: "We should not have asked
it, fair sir, if ye had not offered to tell it, but would rather have
prayed ye to drink a cup or two; but so it is that we be eager to hear
your tale, whereas we see that ye are of our friends of Eastcheaping."
Then the Knight began, and told them of their quarrel from point to
point, and the right they deemed they had therein. And from time to
time Osberne put in a question when he would have the matter made
clearer to him, and the Knight deemed his questions handy and wise.
And at last he said: "Now so it is, neighbours, that we ask help of
you; and the help we need is not so much of money or beasts or weapons
as of the bodies and souls of stark & stout-hearted men. What say ye,
who be here, have ye will to ward your cheaping and the place where we
have done good to each other, or will ye let all go down the wind as
for you?"

"Fair sir," said Osberne, "we will first ask you one question: Ye bid
us to ride to battle with you in your quarrel; but do ye bid and
command us this service as of right, or do ye crave our help as
neighbours, and because there is love and dealings betwixt us? And
this I ask because we dalesmen deem that we be free men, owing no
service to any lord, or earl, or king."

Said the Knight: "We claim no service of you of right or by custom,
but crave your help as bold and free neighbours who for love's sake
may be fain of helping friends in need."

Spake Osberne: "Then t