As he sprang to his feet he drew a knife he used in wood-carving and came at me.

I caught the blow on my arm and closed with him, and we fell together.

The guard in the yard rushed up and pulled us apart, and we both got a fortnight's close confinement for fighting.
"The first time I came into the yard again and met the woman with her child, the little one ran to me; but the woman, a little to my surprise, said nothing.

As she passed I lifted the child up, and after giving me a hug and a kiss she said: 'Mammy gave me this to give to you;' and she put a little note into my hand.

I took the first opportunity to read it in a quiet corner.