Gareth looked behind and saw that Sir Kay was riding up to him. When Sir Kay was within hearing distance, he shouted:
"Come back with me to the kitchen."
"I will not," said Gareth.
Then Sir Kay rode fiercely at the youth. Gareth, however, struck him from his horse, and then turned to the damsel, saying:
"Lead on; I follow."
She rode for a long time in silence, with Gareth a few paces behind her. At last she stopped and said:
"You have overthrown your master, you kitchen boy, but I do not like you any better for it. I still smell the kitchen grease."
Sir Gareth said, very gently:
"You may speak to me as you will, but I shall not leave you till I have righted your wrong."
"Ah!" she said, scornfully, "you talk like a noble knight, but you are not one," and she again galloped in front of him.