Gawain's sudden question put Norris in a moment of stupefaction. He was ready to be reprimanded, but he did not expect to be asked such a question. Should he answer yes or no? Had he broken the law?
After thinking about it for a long time, the old farmer decided to be honest. Because there was more than one person who knew that he could read and write. If the Lord were to seek out others to learn about the truth, he would then be really breaking the law.
"Yes… Lord," Norris said nervously, clutching the buttons at his chest, "I learned… to read and write."
Gawain raised his eyebrows and thought that it was just as he had suspected.
