Indeed, Geordie's effort was to elude observation, and to keep
his uncouth follower from attracting it. Ringan was not
singular in running along with bare feet. Other 'bonnie boys,'
as the ballad has it, trotted along by the side of the horses to
which they were attached in the like fashion, though they had
hose and shoon slung over their shoulders, to be donned on
entering the good town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Not without sounding of bugle and sending out a pursuivant to
examine into the intentions and authorisation of the party, were
they admitted, Jean and Eleanor riding first, with the pursuivant
proclaiming--'Place, place for the high and mighty princesses of
Scotland.'

It was an inconvenient ceremony for poor Sir Patrick, who had to
hand over to the pursuivant, in the name of the princesses, a
ring from his own finger. Largesse he could not attempt, but
the proud spirit of himself and his train could not but be
chafed at the expectant faces of the crowd, and the intuitive
certainty that 'Beggarly Scotch' was in every disappointed mind.

And this was but a foretaste of what the two royal maidens'
presence would probably entail throughout the journey. His wife
added to this care uneasiness as to the deportment of her three
maidens. Of Annis she had not much fear, but she suspected Jean
and Eleanor of being as wild and untamed as hares, and she much
doubted whether any counsels might not offend their dignity, and
drive them into some strange behaviour that the good people of
Berwick would never forget.