第28章 The Christmas Feast at Steeple(1)

The fourth day after Wulf's visit to Southminster was Christmas morning, and the weather being bad, Sir Andrew and his household did not ride to Stangate, but attended mass in Steeple Church.

Here, after service, according to his custom on this day, he gave a largesse to his tenants and villeins, and with it his good wishes and a caution that they should not become drunk at their Yuletide feast, as was the common habit of the time.

"We shall not get the chance," said Wulf, as they walked to the Hall, "since that merchant Georgios has not delivered the wine, of which I hoped to drink a cup to-night.""Perhaps he has sold it at a better price to someone else; it would be like a Cypriote," answered Sir Andrew, smiling.

Then they went into the hall, and as had been agreed between them, together the brethren gave their Christmas gifts to Rosamund.She thanked them prettily enough, and much admired the beauty of the work.When they told her that it had not yet been paid for, she laughed and said that, however they were come by, she would wear both tunic and veil at their feast, which was to be held at nightfall.

About two o'clock in the afternoon a servant came into the hall to say that a wain drawn by three horses and accompanied by two men, one of whom led the horses, was coming down the road from Steeple village.

"Our merchant--and in time after all," said Wulf, and, followed by the others, he went out to meet them.

Georgios it was, sure enough, wrapped in a great sheepskin cloak such as Cypriotes wear in winter, and seated on the head of one of his own barrels.

"Your pardon, knights," he said as he scrambled nimbly to the ground."The roads in this country are such that, although I have left nearly half my load at Stangate, it has taken me four long hours to come from the Abbey here, most of which time we spent in mud-holes that have wearied the horses and, as I fear, strained the wheels of this crazy wagon.Still, here we are at last, and, noble sir," he added, bowing to Sir Andrew,"here too is the wine that your son bought of me.""My nephew," interrupted Sir Andrew.

"Once more your pardon.I thought from their likeness to you that these knights were your sons.""Has he bought all that stuff?" asked Sir Andrew-- for there were five tubs on the wagon, besides one or two smaller kegs and some packages wrapped in sheepskin.

"No, alas!" answered the Cypriote ruefully, and shrugging his shoulders."Only two of the Mavro.The rest I took to the Abbey, for I understood the holy Prior to say he would purchase six casks, but it seems that it was but three he needed.""He said three," put in Wulf.

"Did he.sir?" Then doubtless the error was mine, who speak your tongue but ill.So I must drag the rest back again over those accursed roads," and he made another grimace."Yet I will ask you, sir," he added to Sir Andrew, "to lighten the load a little by accepting this small keg of the old sweet vintage that grows on the slopes of Trooidos.""I remember it well," said Sir Andrew, with a smile;"but, friend, I do not wish to take your wine for nothing."At these words the face of Georgios beamed.

"What, noble sir," he exclaimed,"do you know my land of Cyprus?

Oh, then indeed I kiss your hands, and surely you will not affront me by refusing this little present? Indeed, to be frank, I can afford to lose its price, who have done a good trade, even here in Essex.""As you will," said Sir Andrew."I thank you, and perhaps you have other things to sell.""I have indeed; a few embroideries if this most gracious lady would be pleased to look at them.Some carpets also, such as the Moslems used to pray on in the name of their false prophet, Mahomet," and, turning, he spat upon the ground.

"I see that you are a Christian," said Sir Andrew."Yet, although I fought against them, I have known many a good Mussulman.Nor do I think it necessary to spit at the name of Mahomet, who to my mind was a a great man deceived by the artifice of Satan.""Neither do I," said Godwin reflectively."Its true servants should fight the enemies of the Cross and pray for their souls, not spit at them."The merchant looked at them curiously, fingering the silver crucifix that hung upon his breast."The captors of the Holy City thought otherwise," he said,"when they rode into the Mosque El Aksa up to their horses' knees in blood, and I have been taught otherwise.But the times grow liberal, and, after all, what right has a poor trader whose mind, alas! is set more on gain than on the sufferings of the blessed Son of Mary," and he crossed himself,"to form a judgment upon such high matters? Pardon me, Iaccept your reproof, who perhaps am bigoted."Yet, had they but known it, this "reproof" was to save the life of many a man that night.

"May I ask help with these packages?" he went on, "as I cannot open them here, and to move the casks? Nay, the little keg I will carry myself, as I hope that you will taste of it at your Christmas feast.It must be gently handled, though I fear me that those roads of yours will not improve its quality." Then twisting the tub from the end of the wain onto his shoulder in such a fashion that it remained upright, he walked off lightly towards the open door of the hall.

"For one not tall that man is strangely strong," thought Wulf, who followed with a bale of carpets.

Then the other casks of wine were stowed away in the stone cellar beneath the hall.

Leaving his servant--a silent, stupid-looking, dark-eyed fellow named Petros--to bait the horses, Georgios entered the hall and began to unpack his carpets and embroideries with all the skill of one who had been trained in the bazaars of Cairo, Damascus, or Nicosia.Beautiful things they were which he had to show;broideries that dazzled the eye, and rugs of many hues, yet soft and bright as an otter's pelt.As Sir Andrew looked at them, remembering long dead days, his face softened.