Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/300

foot and kicked Osberne roughly, and Simon laid hold of his hood to pull it off him, but found it held tight enough; and Osberne spake in a gruff and hollow voice: I am a living man; ye were best to let me be. Then had there been battle at once, but even therewith comes in Elfhild bearing a pewter measure of wine and beakers withal, and the newcomers stood staring at her beauty, silent for a minute. Then the Knight did off his basnet and spake in a loose, licorous voice: The liquor we hoped for, but not the cup-bearer; and so it is, that I would liefer have the cup-bearer than the cup. Fair maid, will not a kiss go before the pouring out? or never shall I have heart to drink. And he rose up and went toward the maiden, who stood confused and trembling, and turned pale. But Osberne had risen also, and with a quick turn had thrust between the White Knight and Elfhild, and now stood with his back to her, facing the felons. What, cur! cried the White Knight; shall we have thee out and flay thy back with our stirrup-leather? Said Osberne, speaking slowly: That is the third question too much thou hast asked in these last few minutes. Lo thou! And he shook his hood from his face and had Board-cleaver bare in his hand straightway. Then those three set up a quavering cry of, The Red Lad! the Red Lad! and ran bundling out of the cot; but Board-cleaver was swifter than they. One of the serving-men lost his head just outside the threshold; the Knight stumbled at the brook