` Little maid , it all passed long ago . They were young ; we were old . We let them rule the Manors . `` Aha ! '' cried De Aquila from his shot-window , when we dismounted . `` Back again to earth , old foxes ? '' but when we were in his chamber above the Hall he puts his arms about us and says , `` Welcome , ghosts ! Welcome , poor ghosts ! '' ... Thus it fell out that we were rich beyond belief , and lonely . And lonely ! ' ` What did you do ? ' said Dan . ` We watched for Robert of Normandy , ' said the knight . ` De Aquila was like Witta . He suffered no idleness . In fair weather we would ride along between Bexlei on the one side , to Cuckmere on the other -- sometimes with hawk , sometimes with hound -LRB- there are stout hares both on the Marsh and the Downland -RRB- , but always with an eye to the sea , for fear of fleets from Normandy . In foul weather he would walk on the top of his tower , frowning against the rain -- peering here and pointing there . It always vexed him to think how Witta 's ship had come and gone without his knowledge . When the wind ceased and ships anchored , to the wharf 's edge he would go and , leaning on his sword among the stinking fish , would call to the mariners for their news from France . His other eye he kept landward for word of Henry 's war against the Barons .
` Many brought him news -- jongleurs , harpers , pedlars , sutlers , priests and the like ; and , though he was secret enough in small things , yet , if their news misliked him , then , regarding neither time nor place nor people , he would curse our King XXXXX for a fool or a babe .
Aha Aquila Bexlei Cuckmere Downland Henry Normandy Witta hares war