Guy’s letter was brought by a holy palmer, late last night. I am sure the palmer must be a very holy man, for he had scallops fastened to his shovel-hat, and cross-keys embroidered on his bosom, and bells upon his sleeve, and the holy cross upon his shoulder.[#] His cross was green, so he must be a Fleming.[#] And whenever I came near him, there was such a disagreeable smell, that he must, I am sure, be very holy indeed. He told Robert, and Marguerite told me, that he had not changed his clothes for three whole years. What a holy man he must be! I was very glad when he gave me his benediction, though I did try to keep as much to windward of him as I could, and I put a sprig of lavender in my handkerchief before I asked for it. I am rather afraid Father Eudes would say it was wicked of me to put that sprig of lavender in my handkerchief. But really I think I should have felt quite disgusted if I had not done so. And why should it be holy not to wash one’s self? Why don’t they always leave babies unwashed, if it be, that they might grow up to be holy men and women? [#] The scallop-shell denoted a pilgrim to the shrine of St. James of Compostella; the cross-keys, to Rome; the bells, to Canterbury (hence the "Canterbury bell"); and the cross, to the Holy Sepulchre. [#] The Flemings wore a green cross, the French a red, the English a white one. The proverbial "Red Cross Knight," therefore, strictly speaking, could not be an Englishman. I wonder if the angels like smells which we think disagreeable. If they do, of course that would account for it. Yet one cannot imagine an angel with soiled feathers. I suppose Guy would say that was another of my queer ideas. Oh, I am so delighted that we have heard from Guy! Monseigneur says I must have lots of new dresses to take with me. I have been wishing, ever so long, for a fine mantle of black cloth, lined with minever: and he says I shall have it. And I want a golden girdle, and a new aumonière.[#] I should like a diaper[#] gown, too,—red and black; and a shot silk, blue one way, and gold the other. [#] The bag which depended from the girdle. [#] This term seems to have indicated stuff woven in any small regular pattern, not flowers. My gracious Lord asked me what gems I would best like. "Oh, agate or cornelian, if it please your Nobility," said I, "because they make people amiable." He pinched my ear, and said he thought I was amiable enough: he would give me a set of jacinths.[#] [#] These gems were believed to possess the properties in question. "What, to send me to sleep?" said I, laughing. "Just so," he answered. "Thou art somewhat too wide-awake." "What do you please to mean, Monseigneur?" He smiled, but then sighed heavily, and stroked my head.