"`Oh, father, father, what is that curious animal?' he asked, seeming about to run after her. "`Why, my boy, that is but a goose--a silly, weak, worthless goose,' answered the knight, greatly alarmed at the effect the sight of the damsel had had on his son. Nevertheless they entered the fair, where not one but hundreds of damsels presented themselves to the astonished gaze of the young man. "`Ah, this must be Goose Fair!' he kept saying to himself; but being well brought up, he kept steadily by his father's side. This so well pleased the knight, that he promised to give him any fairing he might ask for. "`Oh, thank you, dear father!' he exclaimed instantly. `Oh, buy me a goose--by all means buy me a goose!' "From that day to this our fair has been called Goose Fair; and really, Master Pearson, I think you'll allow that there are some very pretty geese to be seen there." Master Pearson laughed at Jack's account, and at his notion of its importance. "Well, there are some fairs abroad which I have visited almost on as grand a scale. There is Leipsic in Saxony, Neuremberg, and Augsburg, all great in their way, but not to be compared to Stourbridge as to the value and amount of property sold." "What! have you ever been to those places?" asked Jack with surprise, glancing at the rough-looking drover, "or do you only speak from having heard of them?" "Oh, I have attended the fairs held there myself!" answered Master Pearson. "I have been to many others too, such as that of Frankfort-on-the-Maine; and I tell you, my lad, the great corn-field near Casterton shows a more wonderful sight than any of them. You are lucky in having to make your first business trip there, instead of northward." "I do not care greatly which way I ride," answered Jack cheerily; "all the world is new to me, and I want to see as much of it as I can." "You will see a specimen of a good deal of what I call the world in a few days," said Master Pearson. "We have had such splendid weather, that the corn has been got off the fields, otherwise it would be a bad look out for the farmers. The fair-keepers have a right, you must know, to trample it under foot, and to lay out their streets, and set up their booths on the ground, whether it is standing or not. However, you'll know all about the fair when you have been there. You'll have extensive dealings in one way or another for your employer, I doubt not."