a better soldier with pap for food and swaddling clothes for harness.'
'Stand to it, Aylward,' cried the archers, amid a fresh burst of laughter.
'Do not thwart her, comrade,' said big John. 'She hath a proper spirit for her years and cannot abide to be thwarted. It is kindly and homely to me to hear her voice and to feel that she is behind me. But I must leave you now, mother, for the way is over-rough for your feet; but I will bring you back a silken gown, if there be one in France, or Spain, and I will bring Jinny a silver penny; so good-bye to you, and God have you in his keeping!' Whipping up the little woman, he lifted her lightly to his lips, and then, taking his place in the ranks again, marched on with the laughing Company.
'That was ever his way,' she cried, appealing to Sir Nigel, who reined up his horse and listened with the gravest courtesy. 'He would jog on his own road for all that I could do to change him. First he must be a monk forsooth, and all because a wench was wise enough to turn her back on him. Then he joins a rascally crew and must needs trapse off to the wars, and me with no one to bait the fire if I be out, or tend the cow if I be home. Yet I have been a good mother to him. Three hazel switches a day have I broke across his shoulders, and he takes no more notice than you have seen him to-day.'
'Doubt not that he will come back to you both safe and prosperous, my fair dame,' quoth Sir Nigel. 'Meanwhile it grieves me that, as I have already given my purse to a beggar up the road, I'
'Nay, my lord,' said Alleyne, 'I still have some monies remaining.'
'Then I pray you to give them to this very worthy woman.' He cantered on as he spoke, while Alleyne, having dispensed two more pence, left the old dame standing by the furthest cottage of Hordle with her shrill voice raised in blessings instead of revilings.
