"Loose your hold for a bit, master. My hands have been accustomed
to rough work, and many a load of faggots have I drawn in my time."

"I will hold on, Paolo. It is not more than a quarter of a mile
farther. My hands have done plenty of work, too, but it has been
done with smooth handled weapons. It is well that they should become
accustomed to harder work."

They passed without a question through the gate, and following the
example of other vendors of wood, of whom they saw several, Paolo
began to shout, "Large faggots for sale!"

It was not long before a door opened and a woman beckoned him.

"How much do you want for the whole?"

"A crown and a half," Paolo said.

"I have been offered as many for a crown," the woman replied.

"Then, signora, you did wrong to refuse. It took two days' work
to cut them, and we have dragged them here for miles. Two crowns
would not pay for the labour. Not one scudo would I take under
the price that I have named. Why, if the town is besieged these
faggots would be worth twenty crowns before the winter is over."

"Well, I will give you the money," the woman said. "It is extortionate.
Generally I can buy them at half that price."

"I do not say no to that," Paolo laughed, "but with two armies