On Adventure's Way  
Now, as the knights separated, Sir Launcelot, who had donned but part of his armor, called Sir Gareth.
 
"I would a word with you, Gareth. I pray you to spare me the time."
 
"Right gladly," said Gareth and seated himself beside the other. Sir Percival, who had a mind to return to them, on seeing them so seated, swerved his horse and passed by them. Nor did they see him.
 
"See you this sword and shield. Take you these and use them well. They are good weapons and you will find the answering well to urge and parry.
 
"Yet it is something of far more urge than this that I would speak to you about. I am right glad that you are to have Allan with you. I hope he will find much adventure and many experiences. Listen well to this."
 
Then did Sir Launcelot tell of the message that had been given both to him and the boy. Told also of the need for Allan to stay the fine and devout lad he was.
 
"You can help, too. I made promise to Sir Joseph of Armathea that I would do what I can. Since you are knight dubbed by me, I pray you to help me."
 
"That shall I do right gladly, for I like the youth and his kindly ways. I give you my promise to give him by such example as I may set and in other ways the meaning of knighthood worthy of the search for the Holy Grail."
 
"I wish you good fortune, Gareth, and that you overcome this knight of the Red Lawns. If you should need aid at any time, I promise I will come if I get word, no matter how distant you may be."
 
"I know that," said Gareth soberly. So then they sat for many moments each thinking of many things. Until at last it was time for them to separate.
 
Allan had returned a little while before. He had already heard who the kitchen boy was and how he had been dubbed knight by Sir Launcelot. It had been a day of events for him, too. Walker, who had made the journey with him had talked with him of many things.
 
"This world is large," Walker had said.
 
"Soon," Allan had said, "I shall go forth and find out for myself just how large it is."
 
"Aye, lad," was Walker's reply, "if you travel all the years you live I doubt if you could see half of it. Far to the southeast is Rome and there are many lands one must pass before he reaches there. And to the northeast live the Norse and the Dane and other tribes equally wild and fierce. Then there are many seas, which I have heard tell are bigger than the sea of Cornwall, which I know well. And west of us, there is Ireland and beyond that the world ends."
 
"Yet shall I go and see what I can. For, if need be I must go to the very ends of the world and I doubt not it will be right soon."
 
"Why, young master?" asked Walker, struck by the seriousness of the boy's tone.
 
But Allan answered not. Nor did the man press his question but watched the lad as he rode on and dreamed.
 
So they came to the castle. There Yosalinde was awaiting him. Yet after the first greeting, the girl, whose usual contagion of high and gay spirits carried the youth, who was inclined to be more sober minded, along with her, fell into a brown study. Nor would she listen or attend to his attempts to bring her forth into lighter mood. So the boy, a little vexed and nettled, withdrew feeling hurt and gloomy.
 
But all this was soon swept aside. For Yosalinde came to him and in her eyes was a great light.
 
"Listen to me, Allan. I had mind made up at first that I would not tell you but have decided otherwise. I too, have dreamed of the Holy Grail. Does it not seem strange that I, a girl, should so do?"
 
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