The Black Rose Page #3

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They didn't know what he meant,

but I did.

If we were going to be in trade,

put it out where the world could see.

If there's a price

to pay, pay it.

And when he walks by it...

he looks neither to

the right nor to the left.

I'll call Friar Bacon,

Master Walter.

I trust this reception

is not planned for me.

Oh, Friar Bacon.

L- I couldn't help doing that.

When I was very little,

that was my measure of growing up...

when I could wield

that sword.

I could wish I'd given you

so much of feeling about your books.

Perhaps you would not have

given them up so readily.

Oh.

What happened

concerning your father?

Was it all you hoped for?

No.

Will you return with me then?

I, uh-

I don't know.

Never mind.

There'll be time to talk of that later,

perhaps with your grandfather.

That won't be so easy.

Why not?

Well, you see, my grandfather and I only

talk to each other through someone else.

It, uh- It makes

discussion difficult.

You mean

you don't speak?

Generally we talk

through old Wilderkin...

but I should warn you that it may

very well be you if no one else is here.

No, you mustn't think

that he's unkind.

It- It's just an oath he took after

the great quarrel with my father.

Well, perhaps I ought to tell you

a little bit about it to make it clear.

My father was betrothed to my mother

before he went on his crusade...

but when he was returning, he fell ill

of a wound-very nearly died of it.

They cared for him

in a Norman house.

Well, after a long time,

when he was well again...

he married the daughter of that house,

the one who had nursed him.

It was out of

gratitude, I suppose.

He didn't know that I'd been born.

How could he?

As soon as he found out,

he came straight here.

And then there was a quarrel,

so bitter that I can still remember it.

My grandfather swore that he would

never speak to my father again...

nor to anyone else

of his blood.

That included me,

of course...

although he didn't

mean it that way.

I've often thought that

he was sorry for it afterward.

But my grandfather, you will find,

is a man who does not take an oath...

- nor anything else, lightly.

- I see.

I, uh- I think that

I should tell you something-

Wilderkin! Is our supper ready,

and is our guest here, Wilderkin?

Yes, my lord.

Uh, Wilderkin, tell my grandson

that I'm pleased to see him...

and to see that he's grown

the shoulders of a man.

- My lord wishes me to tell you-

- Tell my grandfather, Wilderkin...

that I'm glad to see him,

and that I hope the shoulders...

are broad enough to be

of service to him soon.

- My lord, Master Walter says-

- Well spoken, Wilderkin. Well spoken.

Ah, and our guest!

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