More William

ight A

with enthusiasm for Tennyson's "Idylls of the King," "a knight was

" said Willia

e spent his time helping

he get for it?

e twentieth century. "He helped the poor because he loved them, William. He ha

spect for th

edn't necessarily be beautiful, but, in most

the rescuing of beautiful damsels. The idea of the

hing sounds all right. Suckin'-I mean helpin' people an' fightin

thought of doin' it, but I'd t

ause, "let's be squires in tur

" said Ginger, displaying again t

m cons

et with my next money. It'll be three weeks off 'cause they're takin' the n

ways characterised his statements of

ht," sai

about the drin

simply. "I'll remind you al

one a bit soft wot went about in the streets in armour now, 'cause these times is different. She said so. Anyway

lic life after one of its periodic terms

p in the bran tub at a school party) in the other, and, sternly denying themselves the

le," said Ginger, "

oth to give u

id, "but when I begin' fightin'

eeting anyone. William began to be aware of

d at last. "I'm gettin' so's I

," said the squire with after-the-event wisdom

severely. "You're the squire. You're not much of a

I'd brought any I'd have brou

gered his m

wild animals ...

them mournful

t," suggested William. "Mi

'an mi

uires did the milkin'. Knight

en you're squire, all the things wot you s

the cow from a respectful distance.

e knight to his

cows," objected

he animal. The animal very slightly lowered its horns (perhaps in sign of greeting)

nothin' to put it in, so we'd only of got t

r of iron gates and a drive that led up to a big hou

ne to rescue here. It looks like a place

the house. While the knight was wondering whether to blow his bugle at the front door or by the open window, they caught sight suddenly of a visio

ll contingencies, ma

s nearer the window. They could see a man now,

prison?" she was saying in a voice that trem

ejaculat

risoner till you sign the paper which will make me master of all your wealth

murmure

to the bushes, followed

tement, "we've found someone to rescue all righ

him?" said th

uld you see?" said

Great big face he had

not straight off. I'll think o

llowed on all fours w

ed with excitement. The man went along a path through the bushes. William and Ginger followed on all fours with elaborate caution. At every almost inaudible sound from Ginger, Will

of cunning and triumph, hurled himself a

hout from inside. "Who'

ff!" said William

ce--?" explo

you was," bawled William, his mouth

t at once,

n ole op

hat's this tomfool trick?

g kick shoo

ernly. "I'll shoot you dead if you ki

rambling and scraping, accompanied b

ier at his post, "an' you go an' set her free. Go an' blow the bugle at

n the drawing-room. Two young men and a mai

'd left in toning or fixing, or something. We'll get on with the rehearsal as soon as he comes. We'

id it

l. We knew our

village wil

ry critical, is it? An

here. He said he'd come straight bac

Greene," said one o

. It's a shed in the garden that he uses. We use

ll

oung men let a cup of tea fall neatly from his fingers on to the floor and there crash into fragments. The young lady visitor emitted a scream that would

stepped away from the broken crockery on the floor as i

ke that hor

egan to laugh

now you've come,"

ly rendered him oblivious, and, deciding that there was no time like the

"he might have escaped from the asylum. He looks mad. He had

anyway. I can't think

d by a walnut bun, re

"You can go home. He's shut u

from the asylum. He looked mad. We'd better humour him and ring up the asylu

r selected an ornat

urled himself into the room. Miss Priscilla's father had made his escape by a small window at the other end of the shed. To do this he had h

reproachfully. "Why di'n't

.. utterly unprovoked .

coal dust. While he was spluttering, William, who had just

him. He's got out. An' all our trouble for not

on the railing that s

fun bein' a knight,"

s is oppressed. An' anyway, wot's one afternoo

William gloomily, "you'll have to wait a j

dejection came ov

ever squire," he said

good cakes, wasn'

d into a smile of bl

ood!" he