The Goose-herd shook his head.  "This is a matter beyond me," he replied.  "All my work, since thou askest of my work, hath been the tending and rearing of geese and driving them to market.  From the good marsh lands at the foot of the hills out west I drive them, and the distance is not small, for, sleeping and resting by boulder and tree, for five days are we on the way.  Slow of foot goeth your goose when he goeth not by water, and it profits neither master nor herd to stint them of their green food.  And all my prayer hath been that I might get them safe to market, none missing or fallen dead by the way, and that I might sell them speedily and at good price, and so back to the fens again.  What more is there to say?"