I would have ridden on at this; but thinking he might be able to tell me things I desired to know, I determined to alight and walk by his side.
"We are not far from Bedford, I take it?" I said.
"But a mile."
"Know you of a good hostelry there?"
"I know all that may be found there."
"Then, by your leave, I will walk back with you, for I judge you are travelling thither."
"Ay," he replied, "my home is at Bedford, and my wife and dear ones live there."
There was a quiet dignity in the way he spoke, and although I detected none of the evidences of the schoolman in his speech, I could not help feeling that he was a man of some authority.
"Do you love God, young master?" he said, the moment I had dismounted, and walked by his side.
"How may a man do that?" I asked, for the question took me aback.