"I wish to speak with your reverence," said Master Richard, "of high things. I hold my nostrils for that I cannot abide a stench."
The red eyes winked at that.
"I find no stench," said the holy man.
"For that you are the origin of its propagation," said Master Richard, "and dwell in the midst of it."
It was foolish, I think, of the sweet lad to speak like that, but he was an-angered that a man should live so. But the holy solitary was not an-angered.
"And in God's Majesty is the origin of my propagation," he said. "Ergo."
Master Richard could think of no seemly answer to that, and he desired, too, to speak of high matters; so he let it alone, and told the holy man his business, and where he lived.
"Tell me, my father," he said, "what is the message that I bear to the King. It may be that our Lord has revealed it to you: He has not yet revealed it to me."
"Are you willing to go dumb before the King?"
"I am willing if God will," said Master Richard.