Page:A C Doyle - The White Company.djvu/65

Rh say if they saw such a thing—or, perhaps, even the king's own majesty himself, who often has ridden past this way, and who loves his falcons as he loves his sons? It would be the downfall of my house.'

'The matter is not past mending,' said Alleyne. 'I pray you, good dame, to give me those three pigment-pots and the brush, and I shall try whether I cannot better this painting.'

Dame Eliza looked doubtfully at him, as though fearing some other stratagem, but, as he made no demand for ale, she finally brought the paints, and watched him as he smeared on his background, talking the while about the folk round the fire.

'The four forest lads must be jogging soon,' she said. 'They bide at Emery Down, a mile or more from here. Yeomen-prickers they are, who tend to the king's hunt. The gleeman is called Floyting Will. He comes from the north country, but for many years he hath gone the round of the forest from Southampton to Christchurch. He drinks much and pays little; but it would make your ribs crackle to hear him sing the "Jest of Hendy Tobias." Mayhap he will sing it when the ale has warmed him.'

'"Who are those next to him?' asked Alleyne, much interested. 'He of the fur mantle has a wise and reverent face.'

'He is a seller of pills and salves, very learned in humours, and rheums, and fluxes, and all manner of ailments. He wears, as you perceive, the vernicle of Sainted Luke, the first physician, upon his sleeve. May good St. Thomas of Kent grant that it may be long before either I or mine need his help! He is here to-night for herbergage, as are the others, except the foresters. His neighbour is a tooth-drawer. That bag at his girdle is full of the teeth that he drew at Winchester fair. I warrant that there are more sound ones than sorry, for he is quick at his work and a trifle dim in the eye. The lusty man next him with the red head I have not seen before. The four on this side are all workers,