When they got to the Green the procession had already arrived at the door of the Hall and Dame Margaret and Magda were welcoming Sir Hugh, and Tom was smiling to split his face and clapping Ed-me-boy on the shoulder a hundred times. Villagers were running across the Green from their cottages, Father John came stumping down from his cottage, and all the dogs in the village barked in wild excitement. Peter at once came up to Marion and put his hand on her arm.

‘All well?’ he asked looking her closely in the eye.

‘Yes. All well,’ she said, amazing herself at her fervent tone.

‘All well, Alice?’ he asked, stroking her cheek with a finger.

‘Alice’s hands better. Tibtab’s post,’ she said, holding out her starry palms, but of course Peter did not know what she meant. Peterkin appeared from the crowd.

‘Father, did you see the bridge made of stones?’ he asked. ‘Did you really? Is it true they can take a cartload of hay over it?’ He got no answer as Tom, with a large leather jug of ale in his hand, gave Peter a drink.

‘You can finish it,’ Tom said. ‘Sir Hugh and Ed have had a good swig each.’ Tom did not mention that contrary to custom, Ed-me-boy had had first drink from his father’s jug.

Marion looked at Sir Hugh with curiosity for he was really smiling, which was rare, and though he was obviously tired, he had a physical ease, which was even rarer. She imagined that after his long delay about deciding to go to Rutherford and his deep anxiety about making the journey, now, having returned in safety and presumably with lavish provisions, he was almost euphoric in his reactions. He was busy supervising the unloading of the horses.

Dame Margaret had during the last two days seen to it that there was a good supply of ale, and while Milly and Joan were fetching more jugs, the villagers crowded round the pile of eight pannier baskets heaped together on the grass before the Hall door.

Sir Hugh was saying, partly to Rollo and Dame Margaret, but loud enough for all to hear, ‘We walked back all the way. Your brother lent me two extra panniers so we loaded up all four horses, as much as they could carry. Somehow, in spite of this, the journey home was easier than we expected. Probably we were sure of the way then. Your brother sends his greetings to you, Margaret, and his wife too. You’d be surprised how she’s aged. I’ve so much to tell – ’

‘Did you bring salt?’ Dame Margaret’s sharp voice broke in, expressing everyone’s urgent question.

‘Indeed we did. Rest easy on that account.’

Marion noticed how often he said ‘we’ and she imagined that in this adventure the three men had been bound together with a bond of friendship which the hierarchy of the village could not comprehend.

‘Fetch M’Dame a stool, Matt,’ Sir Hugh ordered, and when it was brought he placed it near the panniers and led Dame Margaret to it. Magda hovered around, bursting with curiosity.