Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/120

to wit, the peltries he had gotten by his shooting and his valour. For a great bear had he slain with spear and shield by himself, and two more with the help of Stephen the Eater, and wolves and foxes and ermines and beavers a great many. But when he had the money it burnt a hole in his pocket; for he must needs go to the booths and buy for Elfhild, as far as his money went, such things as he deemed he could shoot across the flood to her, as fair windowed shoon, and broidered hosen and dainty smocks, and silken kerchiefs, and a chaplet for her head. And when this was done, he was about with his grandsire in the street, and there came down from the Castle a company of riders, all in jack and sallet and long spears, and two knights in white armour all gleaming in the sun, and the banner of the good town with them. Then his heart rose so high at the sight, and he yearned so for deeds of fame, that he smote his hands together and called good luck on them, and some of them turned about and laughed to each other, and praised the goodly boy, and knew not that he had slain a stouter man than e'er a one of them. Withal his eyes might be no long while off the gay-clad young women; for it was holy day, and they dressed out in their best; and he stared so downrightly on them that his grandsire rebuked him aloud. And that heard some of the women, and they who were fair amongst them laughed and praised him, for they deemed him right welcome to look on all he might see of them, so fair a boy as he was: and one of them,