He found his friend in the fields, up to his knees in a trench which he was digging. Richard laughed.
"How came you to think we were lovers?" he asked. He spoke carelessly, but the veins over his forehead stood out like whip-cords and his great fists circled the spade handle so that the knuckles shone like polished wood.
"Dost mean to tell me thou hast no idea of wedding Matilda Westel?" asked Annys, in astonishment.
Richard shrugged his huge shoulders. "Nay, there is a clear field for thee, hast thou the mind to."
"Why, man, no sweeter woman draws breath."
The other drew a long breath between his clenched teeth.
"So says every swain of his sweetheart."
The words were indifferent, but the thick handle of the spade snapped in two.
Annys looked at it in surprise.
"'Twas cracked yestere'en," stammered Meryl, hastily looking down on it in some confusion.