But above all I pray you, Nigel, to have a care in
the use of the terms of the craft, lest you should make some
blunder at table, so that those who are wiser may have the laugh
of you, and we who love you may be shamed."
"Nay, Sir John," said Nigel. "I think that after your teaching I
can hold my place with the others."
The old Knight shook his white head doubtfully. "There is so much
to be learned that there is no one who can be said to know all,"
said he. "For example, Nigel, it is sooth that for every
collection of beasts of the forest, and for every gathering of
birds of the air, there is their own private name so that none may
be confused with another."
"I know it, fair sir."
"You know it, Nigel, but you do not know each separate name, else
are you a wiser man than I had thought you. In truth--none can
say that they know all, though I have myself picked off eighty,
and six for a wager at court, and it is said that the chief
huntsman of the Duke of Burgundy has counted over a hundred--but
it is in my mind that he may have found them as he went, for there
was none to say him nay. Answer me now, lad, how would you say if
you saw ten badgers together in the forest?"
"A cete of badgers, fair sir."
"Good, Nigel--good, by my faith! And if you walk in Woolmer
Forest and see a swarm of foxes, how would you call it?"
"A skulk of foxes.
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