“That,” he said, “may all be as you will; yet it was a brave deed, such as many would not have tried, whether of women or men. I should not have done so myself, as I suppose; or, if I had, I should surely have failed.”
“You think it was more than it was, for I am practised to swim.”
She had risen the while they talked, and as he looked at her he said: “You will need a sword.”
She laughed again. “It is useless to me. I have learnt that.”
“Well,” he said, “I am not of much avail with one myself. Yet one you must have; for if your belt be empty, as it now is, it will draw eyes which should pass you by.”
The four scribes had continued their work during this time, not lifting their eyes, nor regarding what might go on, which it was not their business to do. Now Sir Oliver spoke to one in h
