He plied Evander, as they paced, with questions of swordsmanship and schools of arms and masters, of the Italian method and the Spanish method and the French method, and never caught his new Hector tripping over a push or a parade. They moved over danceable lawns or under the canopies of dim avenues, chattering of arms, till the soft October air tingled with the names of famous fencers, and Halfman was in fancy a lubber lad again at his first passado. But his wonder grew with their wanderings. They paused at the bowling-green and played a game which Evander won. They visited the stables where the horses now were rallied, that had lived hidden in farm-yard and cottage garden during the siege. Here Halfman learned that Evander liked hawks and loved horses, and knew their manage better than himself. Had Evander proclaimed himself a whisperer, it would not now have astonished Halfman. Again, as they passed by the orchard where Luke Gardener was busy, Halfman must needs bring Luke and Evander acquainted, whereupon the pair set straight to talking of garden talk and airing of weather wisdom in speech long since to him as unfamiliar as Hebrew. Here Evander's science wearied him, and he fairly dragged his captive away, declaring that there was yet much to see more honorable than herbs or brambles. Evander obeyed very contentedly, but they had not moved many paces when Luke came hobbling after, and, catching Halfman, drew him by the arm apart. "Is yonder truly a damnable Roundhead?" he questioned. Halfman nodded his head. "Well," continued Luke, "for that he deserves to be hanged, and yet he has taught me a trick of grafting roses which he says the Dutch use that might serve to save a worser man from the gallows." Without a word Halfman shook his arm free and rejoined Evander, who was moving slowly along a pathway leading towards an enclosure of fantastically clipped yews. Hearing the footsteps behind him, Evander halted till Halfman joined him. "How the devil came you to fathom flower knowledge?" Halfman asked. Evander smiled faintly. "I would rather you unsaddled the devil from your question," he answered, rebuking in his mind a woman; "but I have always loved gardens. You have one here who is skilled in topiary," and he pointed towards the trim yew hedge they were approaching. "Those are the green walls of my lady's pleasaunce," Halfman answered, "and the learned in such trifles call them mighty fine. But all I know of woodcraft is hatcheting me a path through virgin forest." "Where, indeed, your topiarist would be ill at ease," Evander answered. "But I pray you let us retire, lest we intrude upon your lady." "Never fear for that," said Halfman. "My lady is busy enough in-doors to-day, setting her house to rights, and you should not miss the comeliest nook in all the domain."