"You have beaten me," said I--and the words were hard to say--"take my
sword, for, by heaven, I will never wear it again, and fare you well."
The cloud on his face broke into sunlight as he sprang to his feet, and,
taking my arm, said--
"No. Stay here and let us be friends. I am too poor to offer thee
supper, but here's my hand."
I took his hand like one in a dream. I could not help it, strange as it
seemed.
"Sir," said I, "whoever you be, I strike hands on one condition only,
that is, that you sup to-night with me. I'm a London 'prentice, but I
know when I meet my match."
What that had to do with his supping with me, I know not; but I was so
flurried with my late defeat and my enemy's sudden friendliness, that I
scarcely knew what I said.
"If that be the price, I must even pay it," said he, solemnly, "so long
as we be friends."
So I called to the man of the house to bring us food quickly, and, while
it was coming, set myself to know more of my new comrade.
Yet when I came to question him I felt abashed. For he looked so grave
and noble that, despite his ragged clothes, it seemed presumptuous to
ask him who he was. While I doubted how to begin, he spared me the
trouble.
"Are you going to Oxford?" said he.
"I am," said I. "I was to reach there this night, but lost my way; and
even yet do not know how near I am."
"Not an hour from the cursed place," said he, giving his student's cap,
which lay on the floor at his feet, a little kick.
"Then it agrees not with you?" said I.
"Agrees!" said he, and then dropped silent, far more eloquently than if
he had spoken a volume.
"Pray, sir," said I, after an awkward pause, "do you know one Master
Penry of Saint Alban Hall?"
He laughed at that.
"The Welshman? Verily, I know him. What do you want with him?"
"I am to deliver him a letter from my master. Can you take me to him?"
"No," said my companion, "for I shall never enter Oxford again."
"Is your term done, then?" I asked.
"For me it is," said he. "I have been here two months, and will have no
more of it."
"But are you free to leave?" I asked--for my curiosity was roused.
"Free!" said he: "I am here, that is enough. If my tutor come after me,
there will be two men who will never see Oxford again."