Frederick sullenly picked up his hat, which he had laid aside while
painting the door, and which had thus escaped injury, pulled it as
far over his face as it would go, and turned abruptly away from
Reuben.

"I'll be revenged on the old hag yet!" he muttered between his
teeth. "I've got a double debt to pay to this house now. I'll not
forget it either."

He turned abruptly away and scuttled home by the narrowest alleys
he could find, whilst Reuben went about looking for the red
crosses, and giving timely notice to the master of the house, that
they might be erased, as quietly and quickly as possible.

Accident had led Reuben early abroad that day, but he made use of
his time to undo as far as he was able the mischievous jesting of
Frederick's band of Scourers.



CHAPTER III. DRAWING NEARER.


"Brother Reuben, I cannot think what can be the reason, but my Lady
Scrope has bidden me beg of thee to give her speech upon the
morrow. All this day she has been in a mighty pleasant humour: she
gave me this silken neckerchief when I left today, and bid me bring
my brother with me on the morrow--and she means thee, Reuben."