Further up the road there are plenty of places where you can find such accommodation as you lack." "I have passed them," the woman said, "but all seemed full of roisterers.

I am wet and weary, and my strength is nigh spent.

I can pay thee, good fellow, and I pray you as a Christian to let me come in and sleep before your fire for the night.

When the gates are open in the morning I will go; for I have a friend within the city who will, methinks, receive me." The tone of voice, and the addressing of himself as good fellow, at once convinced the man that the woman before him was no common wayfarer.
"Come in," he said; "Geoffrey Ward is not a man to shut his doors in a woman's face on a night like this, nor does he need payment for such small hospitality.

Come hither, Madge!" he shouted; and at his voice a woman came down from the upper chamber.