said he. "I have it all from the child here." And he told me how the
young thing had stopped his tall horse at the Ford, by waving of a
branch, and crying that the way was barred. "And if one bold, bare babe
be enough to guard the Ford in these days, thou hast done well," said
he, and puffed and wiped his head.

'He pinched the child's cheek, and looked at our cattle in the flat by
the river.

'"Both fat," said he, rubbing his nose. "This is craft and cunning such
as I love. What did I tell thee when I rode away, boy?"

'"Hold the Manor or hang," said I. I had never forgotten it.

'"True. And thou hast held." He clambered from his saddle and with his
sword's point cut out a turf from the bank and gave it me where I
kneeled.'

Dan looked at Una, and Una looked at Dan.

'That's seizin,' said Puck, in a whisper.

'"Now thou art lawfully seized of the Manor, Sir Richard," said he--'twas
the first time he ever called me that--"thou and thy heirs for ever. This
must serve till the King's clerks write out thy title on a parchment.
England is all ours--if we can hold it."

'"What service shall I pay?" I asked, and I remember I was proud beyond
words.