"Why, my son, what a very unreasonable question! How can I tell?"
Ædric looked dissatisfied. He thought the monks knew everything: a not uncommon belief with children in respect of those who are older than they are; a belief that is at the same time flattering and embarrassing, and which serves as the basis for the greatest number of impositions quackery and charlatanism have known how to successfully palm off on ignorance.
Again they lapsed into silence. Boseham was still in sight behind them. Ædric turned his head to look once more at the quiet little place where he had learnt so much.
"Why, Corman, isn't that a man on horseback on the quay?"
Corman looked. "Well, it does look like some one on a horse. I wonder who it can be."
"Hark! I think I hear somebody calling," said Ædric.
Corman ceased rowing, and the raft, sluggishly moving when Corman rowed his hardest, ceased to ripple through the water.
A loud halloo came over the water.
"What can he want. Is he calling us?" asked Ædric.
"Hush! he is saying something," said Corman.