You have not taken a wife to yourself, Master Geoffrey, or you would know that women oft have fancies which wander widely from hard facts, and she says she would have him brought up as a man-at-arms, so that he may do valiant deeds, and win back some day the title and honour of his family." Geoffrey Ward laughed.

"Trust a woman for being romantic," he said.
"However, Master Fletcher, you need not for the present trouble about the child's calling, even should its mother die.

At any rate, whether he follows your trade, or whether the blood in his veins leads him to take to martial deeds, the knowledge of arms may well be of use to him, and I promise you that such skill as I have I will teach him when he grows old enough to wield sword and battle-axe.

As you know I may, without boasting, say that he could scarce have a better master, seeing that I have for three years carried away the prize for the best sword-player at the sports.

Methinks the boy will grow up into a strong and stalwart man, for he is truly a splendid lad.