"Well, what’s all this about? when are you coming to the point?" said Ralph. "Marry! that is just what I said to the little wench, and she did nothing but laugh. At last she quieted down, and said, if I was your friend, I was to be sure and look after you and Bowerman. She said she did not like that boy--fancy Bowerman’s joy! I’ll tell him she called him a boy; and there I agreed with her. She seemed to think Bowerman meant to do you a mischief, and i’faith I shouldn’t marvel. ’Twas he who had something to do with laming Black Tom, I’ll wager; and he’s as mad with rage and spite against you as ’tis possible to be without choking. I only wish he would! So now, young man, I shall look after you. Don’t be down-hearted; I am near you; I’ll take care of you. But who’d have thought it! She called me a tom-tit! Dicky Cheke a tom-tit! Richard Cheke, page-in-waiting to the high and mighty Captain of the Wight, tom-tit! Good lack! good lack!" "Well, ’tis a comfort you’ll take care of me, in sooth," said Ralph, as he went up the narrow winding stairs to his room, which he shared with Dicky, and which was next that of Bowerman, at the top of a turret overlooking the courtyard. Humphrey followed his young master, and unbuckled his armour. "Marry! Master Ralph, what’ll they say down Thruxton way?" "’Tis a piece of luck, Humphrey, and I can’t claim any credit in the tilt. But why do you think that unknown knight showed me such favour?" "Beshrew me if I know; but ’tis clear enough he did let you off. Well, no matter! I’faith, all the better, say I. You’ll be sure to have the ruby ring: I heard every one say so." "Do you think I shall have the prize?" cried Ralph, astonished and delighted. "Ay, marry, do I! That rusty one won’t have it, albeit he deserves it. They always give it to a young one like you, if they can in reason." "Well, I almost wish I may not get it," said Ralph thoughtfully. "And why, Master Ralph?" "Because of course I don’t deserve it, and ’twill make Bowerman more jealous of me than ever, and he will have cause, certes, for saying I have been favoured." "Oh, never fear him! You take my advice, and give him a good trouncing. You can easily do it, and he’d be all the better for it. Not but what he’s a spiteful lad; and ’tisn’t only me as thinks he knows more about Black Tom going lame than he’d like any one to say." "Have you heard who that knight was?" "Ay, there’s a many as knows. Some says ’tis Sir Robert Clifford, him as is a known Yorkist, and who’s been looked for for some time past. Others say ’tis my Lord Lovell, who’s never been heard of since Stoke field. There’s some as say even ’tis King Richard himself, got well of the wounds as laid him low at Bosworth. I’faith, there’s no end to the tales they all swear is the truth." "And what do you think, Humphrey?"