CHAPTER IV

KARI

Thus began my life in London in the house of my uncle, John Grimmer, who was called the Goldsmith.  In truth, however, he was more than this, since not only did he fashion and trade in costly things; he lent out moneys to interest upon security to great people who needed it, and even to the king Richard and his Court.  Also he owned ships and did much commerce with Holland, France, yes, and with Spain and Italy.  Indeed, although he appeared so humble, his wealth was very large and always increased, like a snowball rolling down a hill; moreover, he owned much land, especially in the neighbourhood of London where it was likely to grow in value.

“Money melts,” he would say, “furs corrupt with moth and time, and thieves break in and steal.  But land—­if the title be good—­remains.  Therefore buy land, which none can carry away, near to a market or a growing town if may be, and hire it out to fools to farm, or sell it to other fools who wish to build great houses and spend their goods in feeding a multitude of idle servants.  Houses eat, Hubert, and the larger they are, the more they eat.”

No word did he say to me as to my dwelling on with him, yet there I remained, by common consent, as it were.  Indeed on the morrow of my coming a tailor appeared to measure me for such garments as he thought I should wear, by his command, I suppose, as I was never asked for payment, and he bade me furnish my chamber to my own liking, also another room at the back of the house that was much larger than it seemed, which he told me was to be mine to work in, though at what I was to work he did not say.

For a day or two I remained idle, staring at the sights of London and only meeting my uncle at meals which sometimes we ate alone and sometimes in the company of sea-captains and learned clerks or of other merchants, all of whom treated him with great deference and as I soon guessed, were in truth his servants.  At night, however, we were always alone and then he would pour out his wisdom on me while I listened, saying little.  On the sixth day, growing weary of this idleness, I made bold to ask him if there was aught that I could do.

“Aye, plenty if you have a mind to work,” he answered.  “Sit down now, and take pen and paper and write what I shall tell you.”

Then he dictated a short letter to me as to shipping wine from Spain, and when it was sanded, read it carefully.

“You have it right,” he said, seeming pleased, “and your script is clear if boyish.  They taught you none so ill yonder at Hastings where I thought you had only learned to handle ropes and arrows.  Work?  Yes, there is plenty of it of the more private sort which I do not give to this scribe or to that who might betray my secrets.  For know,” he went on in a stern voice, “there is one thing which I never pardon, and it is betrayal.  Remember that, nephew Hubert, even in the arms of your loves, if you should be fool enough to seek them, or in your cups.”