“Waltheof? Pish! This is one of thy inventions for making me hunt every Englishman to death, that thou mayest gnaw their bones.”
“Is it? Then this I say more. Beware of Ralph Guader!”
“Pish!”
“Pish on, Lord King.” Etiquette was not yet discovered by Norman barons and earls, who thought themselves all but as good as their king, gave him their advice when they thought fit, and if he did not take it, attacked him with all their meinie. “Pish on, but listen. Beware of Roger!”
“And what more?”
“And give me Lucia. I want her. I will have her.”
William laughed. “Thou of all men! To mix that ditch-water with that wine?”
“They were mixed in thy blood, Lord King, and thou art the better man for it, so says the world. Old wine and old blood throw any lees to the bottom of the cask; and we shall have a son worthy to ride behind—”
“Take care!” quoth William.
“The greatest captain upon earth.”