Next
Monday I and Sir Everard Willoughby take thee in hand to begin training
thee in the knowledge and the use of the jousting lance, of arms, and of
horsemanship. Thou art to go to Ralph Smith, and have him fit a suit of
plain armor to thee which he hath been charged to make for thee against
this time. So get thee gone, think well over all these matters, and
prepare thyself by next Monday. But stay, sirrah," he added, as Myles,
dazed and bewildered, turned to obey; "breathe to no living soul what
I ha' told thee--that my Lord is thy friend--neither speak of anything
concerning him. Such is his own heavy command laid upon thee."
Then Myles turned again without a word to leave the room. But as he
reached the door Sir James stopped him a second time.
"Stay!" he called. "I had nigh missed telling thee somewhat else. My
Lord hath made thee a present this morning that thou wottest not of. It
is"--then he stopped for a few moments, perhaps to enjoy the full flavor
of what he had to say--"it is a great Flemish horse of true breed and
right mettle; a horse such as a knight of the noblest strain might be
proud to call his own. Myles Falworth, thou wert born upon a lucky day!"
"Sir," cried Myles, and then stopped short. Then, "Sir," he cried again,
"didst thou say it--the horse--was to be mine?"
"Aye, it is to be thine."
"My very own?"
"Thy very own."
How Myles Falworth left that place he never knew.
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