But I saw
your aged father the franklin. Bethink you of the joy that will
fill his heart when he hears that you have done some small deed in
France, and so won honor in the eyes of all."
"I fear that honor will not help him to pay his arrears of rent to
the sacrist of Waverley," said Aylward. "Out he will go on the
roadside, honor and all, if he does not find ten nobles by next
Epiphany. But if I could win a ransom or be at the storming of a
rich city, then indeed the old man would be proud of me. `Thy
sword must help my spade, Samkin,' said he as he kissed me goodby.
Ah! it would indeed be a happy day for him and for all if I could
ride back with a saddle-bag full of gold pieces, and please God, I
shall dip my hand in somebody's pocket before I see Crooksbury
Hill once more!"
Nigel shook his head, for indeed it seemed hopeless to try to
bridge the gulf between them. Already they had made such good
progress along the bridle-path through the heather that the little
hill of Saint Catharine and the ancient shrine upon its summit
loomed up before them. Here they crossed the road from the south
to London, and at the crossing two wayfarers were waiting who
waved their hands in greeting, the one a tall, slender, dark woman
upon a white jennet, the other a very thick and red-faced old man,
whose weight seemed to curve the back of the stout gray cob which
he bestrode.
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