If there were fault to be found in the King, it did not lie with his own servants and officers to find it; I was now of his household; my lord must have known what was on the way to me from London when he addressed me so pointedly; and he could know only because he had himself been the mover in the matter.

I sprang up and ran across to the Vicar, crying, "Why, it is my lord's kindness! He has spoken for me." "Ay, ay, it is my lord," was grunted and nodded round the circle in the satisfaction of a discovery obvious so soon as made.

The Vicar alone dissented; he took another pinch and wagged his head petulantly.
"I don't think it's my lord," said he.
"But why not, sir, and who else ?" I urged.
"I don't know, but I do not think it is my lord," he persisted.
Then I laughed at him, and he understood well that I mocked his dislike of a plain-sailing everyday account of anything to which it might be possible by hook or crook to attach a tag of mystery.

He had harped back to the prophecy, and would not have my lord come between him and his hobby.
"You may laugh, Simon," said he gravely.

"But it will be found to be as I say." I paid no more heed to him, but caught up my hat from the bench, crying that I must run at once and offer thanks to my lord, for he was to set out for London that day, and would be gone if I did not hasten.
"At least," conceded the Vicar, "you will do no harm by telling him.