Humphrey wheels to face the crowd with the bearing of a man addressing a vast and eager assembly. The crowd is, at this precise moment, Goodwife Thripp — still knitting — and a dog that may belong to someone. "I call upon any worthy soul present," Humphrey announces with tremendous ceremony, "to serve as my second in this matter of honour." Silence. The dog leaves. Goodwife Thripp knits. "Any worthy soul," Humphrey repeats, with marginally reduced ceremony. Goodwife Thripp does not volunteer. She also, crucially, does not leave. Humphrey turns to Reginald with the expression of a man who has just discovered a legal technicality and intends to use it like a lance. "The 1243 precedent," he says. "Silence constitutes acceptance." Reginald opens his mouth. Closes it. Studies his scroll with the expression of a man hoping to find a clause that will spare everyone from what comes next. He does not find one. He makes a very small, very tired noise. "The precedent," he admits, "does extend to summonses to tournament service." Goodwife Thripp knits on, now technically a second.