Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/282

Rh swans that would make yon savoury messes to sicken yon for ever of maize and of lentils; you have shoals of small fresh-water fish that I will snare by thousands in my nets, and, salted, they will last yon the whole winter through;—let me work for you on the water, and give me in payment a lodging for myself and my dog. I will warrant you you shall have the best of the bargain."

His voice shook a little with an eagerness he could not repress; the monk, a comely, good-humoured, elderly man from the Umbrian marshes, a poor brother who did servile offices, and was at once porter and angler and hewer of wood and drawer of water for the monastery, felt his eyes glisten and his lips taste savoury things as he thought of the wild swans in a potage, and his own labours lightened by the stalwart arm and the fearless skill of this adventurer. He looked a moment curiously in Erceldoune's face; its frank, bold proud features won his trust instantly, as they won the trust of all who looked on them; he glanced longingly at the fowl-filled sedges.

"Wait a moment, my son. I have no power to grant your request myself, but I will go speak with the almoner, and see what we can do. If the Father Superior will listen to your wish, I shall be glad