‘I could not agree more,’ said Gervase. ‘Our time in Gloucester has imparted a little wisdom to all of us. Even you, Ralph.’
‘Me?’ protested the other. ‘What wisdom did I gain?’
‘You learned the value of forethought.’
‘Forethought?’
‘When a man hates water as much as you do, he should take care never to go into it or even upon it. Be grateful to Abraham the Priest,’ he said. ‘The Owl of Gwent. If he had not rescued you from that boat, you would have sailed all the way to Normandy by now. What would your dear wife have said to that?’
Ralph needed only a second to find his answer. His eyes widened, his mouth narrowed to a circle and his arms went out like small wings.
‘Too-wit, too-woo!’