Chapter 24 THE CANKERED OAK GALL

That Walter was no fool, though that him list

To change his wif, for it was for the best;

For she is fairer, so they demen all,

Than his Griselde, and more tendre of age.

Chaucer, The Clerke's Tale.

It was on an early autumn evening when the belfry stood out beautiful against the sunset sky, and the storks with their young fledglings