But I was too much shaken at the moment to be curious, and gratefully accepted the offer of one, of the men to fetch me a little water.

While he was away the rest stood round me, the same look of ill-concealed drollery on their faces.
Fresnoy alone talked, speaking volubly of the accident, pouring out expressions of sympathy and cursing the road, the horse, and the wintry light until the water came; when, much refreshed by the draught, I managed to climb to the Cid's saddle and plod slowly onwards with them.
'A bad beginning,' Fresnoy said presently, stealing a sly glance at me as we jogged along side by side, Chize half a league before us, and darkness not far off.
By this time, however, I was myself again, save for a little humming is the head, and, shrugging my shoulders, I told him so.

'All's well that ends well,' I added.

'Not that it was a pleasant fall, or that I wish to have such another.' 'No, I should think not,' he answered.

His face was turned from me, but I fancied I heard him snigger.
Something, which may have been a vague suspicion, led me a moment later to put my hand into my pouch.