Page:A C Doyle - The White Company.djvu/303

Rh 'And how?'

'Because they have passed me over in choosing those who should joust for England. Yourself and Audley I could pass, coz, for you are mature men; but who are Wake, and Percy, and Beauchamp? By my soul! I was prodding for my food into a camp-kettle when they were howling for their pap. Is a man of my weight and substance to be thrown aside for the first three half -grown lads who have learned the trick of the tilt-yard? But hark ye, coz, I think of sending my cartel also to the prince.'

'Oliver! Oliver! You are mad!'

'Not I, i' faith! I care not a denier whether he be prince or no. By Saint James! I see that your squire's eyes are starting from his head like a trussed crab. Well, friend, we are all three men of Hampshire, and not lightly to be jeered at.'

'Has he jeered at you then?'

'Pardieu! yes. "Old Sir Oliver's heart is still stout," said one of his court. "Else had it been out of keeping with the rest of him," quoth the prince. "And his arm is strong," said another. "So is the backbone of his horse," quoth the prince. This very day I will send him my cartel and defiance.'

'Nay, nay, my dear Oliver,' said Sir Nigel, laying his hand upon his angry friend's arm. 'There is naught in this, for it was but saying that you were a strong and robust man, who had need of a good destrier. And as to Chandos and Pelton, bethink you that if when you yourself were young the older lances had ever been preferred, how would you then have had the chance to earn the good name and fame which you now bear? You do not ride as light as you did, Oliver, and I ride lighter by the weight of my hair, but it would be an ill thing if in the evening of our lives we showed that our hearts were less true and loyal than of old. If such a knight as Sir Oliver Buttesthorn may turn against his own prince for the sake of a light word, then where are we to look for steadfast faith and constancy?'

'Ah! my dear little coz, it is easy to sit in the sunshine