'I know that mischance! What did his Lord do? Laugh and ride over him?' the old man sneered.
'It was one of your own people did the hurt, Kadmiel.' Puck's eyes twinkled maliciously. 'So he gave the freeman a piece of gold, and no more was said.'
'A Jew drew blood from a Christian and no more was said?' Kadmiel cried. 'Never! When did they torture him?'
'No man may be bound, or fined, or slain till he has been judged by his peers,' Puck insisted. 'There is but one Law in Old England for Jew or Christian—the Law that was signed at Runnymede.'
'Why, that's Magna Charta!' Dan whispered. It was one of the few history dates that he could remember. Kadmiel turned on him with a sweep and a whirr of his spicy-scented gown.
'Dost thou know of that, babe?' he cried, and lifted his hands in wonder.
'Yes,' said Dan firmly.
'Magna Charta was signed by John, That Henry the Third put his heel upon.
And old Hobden says that if it hadn't been for her (he calls everything "her", you know), the keepers would have him clapped in Lewes Gaol all the year round.'
Again Puck translated to Kadmiel in the strange, solemn-sounding language, and at last Kadmiel laughed.