Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/100

 stood by grinning. Osberne smiled pleasantly but spake not. He was girt with the sword Board-cleaver and clad in scarlet. As for Stephen, he stood before Hardcastle with a face seeming solemn, save that he squinted fearfully, looking all down along his long nose.

Now came the goodman forth and knelt before the ruffler, and said: Lord, we will even do thy will: but mightest thou tell us where ye got licence and title to take all our wealth from us and make us thy thralls? The warrior laughed: It is fairly asked, goodman, and I will not spare to show thee my title. Therewith he drew forth his sword, a great and heavy blade, and cast it rattling on the board before him, and said: There is my title, goodman; wilt thou ask a better? The goodman groaned and said: At least, lord, I pray thee take not all I have, but leave me some little whereby to live, and thereof I will pay somewhat year by year, if the seasons be good.

My friend, quoth Hardcastle, by the title that lieth yonder I have gotten thy wealth, and every jot of it might I keep if I would. But see how kind I am to thee and thine. For have I not told you that ye shall live in this house, and eat the sweet and drink the strong and lie warm a-nights, so long as ye do my will. Yea, said the goodman, but we must needs toil as thralls. Great fool, said Hardcastle, what matters that to thee? It is like thou shalt work no harder than erst, or no harder than may be enough to keep