My cloak, my hat and boots allowed naught of my true condition to appear, and might as well have covered a lordling as a jester.

Yet his inveterate surliness the rascal could not wholly conquer.
"What may be the purpose of your question ?" he growled.
"To serve your master, whoever he may be," I answered him serenely, "although it is a service I do not press upon him.

I, too, am journeying to Cagli, and like yourselves, I am in haste and go the shorter way across the hills, with which I am well acquainted.

If it so please you to follow me your need of a guide may thus be satisfied." It was the tone to take if I would be respected.

Had I proposed that we should journey in company I should not have earned me the half of the deference which was accorded to my haughtily granted leave that they might follow me if they so chose.
With marked submission did he give me thanks in his master's name.
I mounted and set out, and at my heels came now the litter and its escort.