But the friar took me to his bosom, and held me tight a moment in his long arms.
"Remember!" he murmured huskily and impressively.

And then, putting me from him, "God help and guide you, my son," were his last words.
I went down the steps into the courtyard where most of the servants were gathered to see their lord's departure, whilst Messer Arcolano, who was to go with me, paused to assure my mother of the care that he would have of me, and to receive her final commands concerning me.
Four men, mounted and armed, stood waiting to escort us, and with them were three mules, one for Arcolano, one for myself, and the third already laden with my baggage.
A servant held my stirrup, and I swung myself up into the saddle, with which I was but indifferently acquainted.

Then Arcolano mounted too, puffing over the effort, for he was a corpulent, rubicund man with the fattest hands I have ever seen.
I touched my mule with the whip, and the beast began to move.

Arcolano ambled beside me; and behind us, abreast, came the men-at-arms.

Thus we rode down towards the gateway, and as we went the servants murmured their valedictory words.
"A safe journey, Madonnino!" "A good return, Madonnino!" I smiled back at them, and in the eyes of more than one I detected a look of commiseration.
Once I turned, when the end of the quadrangle was reached, and I waved my cap to my mother and Fra Gervasio, who stood upon the steps where I had left them.