Many a friendly wrangle have I had with him over their weight and finish, and it is not many who find fault with my handiwork, though I say it myself; and now, madam, I am at your service." During the night the wayfarer's clothes had been dried.

The cloak was of rough quality, such as might have been used by a peasant woman; but the rest, though of sombre colour, were of good material and fashion.

Seeing that her kind entertainers would be hurt by the offer of money, the lady contented herself with thanking Madge warmly, and saying that she hoped to come across the bridge one day with Dame Fletcher; then, under the guidance of Geoffrey, who insisted on carrying the boy, she set out from the smith's cottage.

They passed under the outer gate and across the bridge, which later on was covered with a double line of houses and shops, but was now a narrow structure.

Over the gateway across the river, upon pikes, were a number of heads and human limbs.