But, spying us just now in a boat, as he stood near London Bridge, he had taken craft and followed us, and here he was, ready to take up his charge, and, whether we willed it or no, look after the maiden.
This was a great joy to us all, not least of all to the maiden herself, to whom it seemed like a message from an absent one.
So it came to pass, when on the morrow the travellers started westward, there were five of them.

And methought if any harm came to those two fair women with such champions to guard them, it would indeed go hard with all.
They had not been gone three days, and the desolate house, occupied only by me and my master, seemed as void and dull as ever, when one afternoon who should step into the shop but a fine gentleman whom I had never seen before, but whom I guessed to be no friend, as soon as I saw him.
"I am told," said he, "that an honest 'prentice, one Dexter, dwelleth here." "You be told very right," said I, affecting to be as simple as he wished me.

"I am he." "To be sure, honest fellow," said he, "we have met before." "Where might that be ?" asked I.
"No matter where," said he, "but I remember you for a fine honest fellow.

And, indeed, 'tis for that reason I am come.

I have but lately lost my servant, a drunken scoundrel whom I am well rid of.