"Not unless you promise to go back to the lazar-house, from which we see you have escaped."
Poor boys, even hungry as they were, they would not promise.
"Put some bread on that stump," said the leader, "and let them take it; come not near: now off!"
It was the last food the poor boys got for many hours, for every one abhorred their presence and drove them off with sticks and stones, until, wearied out, Richard sank fainting on the ground on the eventide of that weary day.
Evroult was at the end of his resources, and at last felt beaten; tears were already trickling down his manly young face.
An aged man bent over them.
"Why do you weep, my son? what is the matter with your companion?"
It was an old man who spoke, in long coarse robe, and a rope around his waist. Evroult recognised the hermit.
"We are lepers," said he despairingly.