So Ralph went from one to another and gave them a word or two, and was well pleased to watch them at their work awhile; but yet he would fain speak somewhat more with one or other of them.

At last under the shade of a tall elm-tree he saw an old man sitting heeding the outer raiment of the haymakers and their victual and bottles of drink; and he came up to him and gave him the sele of the day; and the old man blessed him and said: "Art thou dwelling in my lady's castle, fair lord ?" "A while at least," said Ralph.

Said the old man: "We thank thee for coming to see us; and meseemeth from the look of thee thou art worthy to dwell in my Lady's House." "What sayest thou ?" said Ralph.

"Is she a good lady and a gracious ?" "O yea, yea," said the carle.

Said Ralph: "Thou meanest, I suppose, that she is fair to look on, and soft-spoken when she is pleased ?" "I mean far more than that," said the carle; "surely is she most heavenly fair, and her voice is like the music of heaven: but withal her deeds, and the kindness of her to us poor men and husbandmen, are no worse than should flow forth from that loveliness." "Will you be her servants ?" said Ralph, "or what are ye ?" Said the carle: "We be yeomen and her vavassors; there is no thralldom in our land." "Do ye live in good peace for the more part ?" said Ralph.