e we
go to bed, for that Milan harness was promised for the morrow, and the
repairs are too delicate for me to entrust it to the men. It is good to
assist the law, but this work of attending as a witness makes a grievous
break in the time of a busy man. It is a pity, Walter, that your mind
is so set on soldiering, for you would have made a marvellous good
craftsman. However, I reckon that after you have seen a few years of
fighting in France, and have got some of your wild blood let out,
you will be glad enough to settle down here with me; as you know, our
profits are good, and work plentiful; and did I choose I might hold mine
head higher than I do among the citizens; and you, if you join me,
may well aspire to a place in the common council, aye, and even to an
alderman's gown, in which case I may yet be addressing you the very
worshipful my Lord Mayor."

"Pooh!" Walter laughed; "a fig for your lord Mayors! I would a thousand
times rather be a simple squire in the following of our young prince."

CHAPTER IV: A KNIGHT'S CHAIN

The following morning Walter put on the sober russet dress which he
wore on Sundays and holidays, for gay colours were not allowed to the
apprentices, and set out for Westminster. Although he endeavoured to
assume an air of carelessness and ease as he approached the dwelling of
Earl Talbot, he was very far from feeling comfortable, and wished in his
heart that his master had accompanied him on his errand. Half a dozen
men-at-arms were standing on the steps of the mansion, who looked with
haughty surprise at the young apprentice.

"Dame Alice Vernon has sent to express her desire to have speech with
me," he said quietly, "and I would fain know if she can receive me."

"Here, Dikon," one of the men cried to another within the hall. "This is
the lad you were sent to fetch yesterday. I wondered much who the city
apprentice was, who with such an assured air, marched up to the door;
but if what thou sayest be true, that he saved the life of Dame Vernon
and her little daughter, he must be a brave lad, and would be more in
place among men and soldiers than in serving wares behind the counter of
a fat city tradesman.

"I serve behind no counter," Walter said indignantly. "I am an armourer,
and mayhap can use arms as well as make them."

There was a laugh among the men at the boy's sturdy self-assertion, and
then the man named Dikon said: "Come along, lad. I will take you to Dame
Vernon at onc