Peregrine, coming near the boy, paused. “May I rest awhile?” he asked.
“Indeed, sir,” said the boy shyly, “this is no private place.”
“Yet courtesy prompts the query,” smiled Peregrine, “since I see you first established here.”
For answer Aelred moved a wooden crutch. Peregrine sat down by him.
“A very peaceful place,” said he, scarce knowing how best to broach the matter he had in mind.
“I like the sound of the falling water,” said the boy.
“’Tis musical enough,” said Peregrine somewhat absently.
Aelred eyed him frankly. Then with a child’s directness put a frank question.
“Are you very weary?”
Peregrine turned. “To speak truth, not weary at all at the moment, though methinks I have known weariness more often than not.”