` Not even a whipping . De Aquila said he would sooner a clerk , however false , that knew the Manor-roll than a fool , however true , that must be taught his work afresh . Moreover , after that night I think Gilbert loved as much as he feared De Aquila . At least he would not leave us -- not even when Vivian , the King 's Clerk , would have made him Sacristan of Battle Abbey . A false fellow , but , in his fashion , bold . ' ` Did Robert ever land in Pevensey after all ? ' Dan went on . ` We guarded the coast too well while Henry was fighting his Barons ; and three or four years later , when England had peace , Henry crossed to Normandy and showed his brother some work at Tenchebrai that cured Robert of fighting . Many of Henry 's men sailed from Pevensey to that war . Fulke came , I remember , and we all four lay in the little chamber once again , and drank together . De Aquila was right . One should not judge men . Fulke was merry . Yes , always merry -- with a catch in his breath . ' ` And what did you do afterwards ? ' said Una . ` We talked together of times past . That is all men can do when they grow old , little maid . ' The bell for tea rang faintly across the meadows . Dan lay in the bows of the Golden Hind ; Una in the stern , the book of verses open in her lap , was reading from ` The Slave 's Dream ' : ` Again , in the mist and shadow of sleep , He saw his native land . ' '
I do n't know when you began that , ' said XXXXX , sleepily .
Aquila Clerk Dan England King Manor-roll Normandy Pevensey Robert Tenchebrai