"Ah! my
ladybird," said he, "in good health as ever."
"All the better for seeing you, mine old friend," she cried. "I
thought you were far away at Compostella."
"So verily I was. Here's St. James's cockle to wit--Santiago as they
call him there, and show the stone coffin he steered across the sea.
No small miracle that! And I've crossed France, and looked at many a
field of battle of the good old times, and thought and said a prayer
for the brave knights who broke lances there. But as I was making
for St. Martha's cave in Provence, I met a friar, who told me of the
goodly gathering there was like to be here; and I would fain see
whether I could hap upon old friends, or at any rate hear a smack of
our kindly English tongue, so I made the best of my way hither."
"In good time," said Lambert. "You will take the lady and the
housewife to the stoop at Master Caxton's house, where he has
promised them seats whence they may view the entrance. I myself am
bound to walk with my fellows of the Apothecaries' Society, and it
will be well for them to have another guard in the throng, besides
old Anton."
"Nay, but my garb scarce befits the raree show," said Ridley, looking
at his russet gown.
"We will see to that anon," said Lambert; and ere supper was over,
old Anton had purveyed a loose blue gown from the neighbouring
merchants, with gold lace seams and girdle, peaked boots, and the
hideous brimless hat which was then highly fashionable.
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