Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/34

 CHAPTER IV. SURLY JOHN FALLS OUT WITH THE GOODMAN.

N the morrow comes John to the goodman, and quoth he: Master, there is small doubt that I shall one day pay thee for the pudding in the pot which thou gavest me yestreen, and after that I shall have to take my soles out of this straightway; so meseemeth I had best go hence to-day. Well, said the goodman, if thou must go, go, and the devil go with thee. But as to the knock on thy cheekbone, I will boot thee therefor, if thou wilt take boot and abide, for though thou be no hard worker, nor very deft of thy hands, yet the winter is lonely here, and thou wilt be missed somewhat.

Quoth John: Yea, goodman, but there is this in it withal, that Wethermel liketh me not, though I say nought against thee for a master. I love not thy were-wolves, that are big and gruesome enough to frighten two stout armed men; and I love not thy Dwarfs, who cut off their own heads and stick them on again, and give guesting to little lads, doing them no hurt; for meseems that means that the said Dwarf will be craving guest-quarters here one day, and who knows how soon; and I care not for such an one as a fellow at board. And then there is thy grandson, and a fair boy he is and a good scald, though that be come upon him somewhat suddenly. But he is over big-wordy for me, and I see clearly that soon there