"Ah, I thought so, thou art learning compassion: 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.'"
"Brother," said Richard, "let us try and get that blessing."
Evroult pressed his hand.
And when it was dark and all was quiet, they let the deer go. The poor beast, as if it had reason, almost refused to depart, and licked their hands as if it knew its protectors, as doubtless it did.
But we must close this chapter, having begun the sketch of a life which continued uneventfully for two full years.
Here ends the first part of our tale. We must leave the boys with the good hermit; Osric learning the usages of war, and other things, under the fostering care of Brian Fitz-Count; Wulfnoth as a novice at Dorchester; and so allow a period to pass ere our scattered threads reunite.