'Even so, my boy, my dear boy! But knowst thou no more than this?'

'Methinks, methinks there were serving-men that called me the young
Lord. Ay, so! But nurse said I must forget all that. Mother dear,
when that maiden came and talked of tilts and lances, meseemed that I
recollected somewhat. Was then my father a knight?'

'Alack! alack! my child, that thou shouldst not know!'

'Memories came back with that maiden's voice and thine,' said Hal, in
a bewildered tone. 'My father! Was he then slain when he rode
farther?'

'Ah! I may tell thee now thou art old enough to guard thyself,' she
said. 'Thy father, whom our blessed Lord assoilzie, was the Lord
Clifford, slain by savage hands on Towton field for his faith to King
Harry! Thou, my poor boy, art the Baron of Clifford, though while
this cruel House of York be in power thou must keep in hiding from
them in this mean disguise. Woe worth the day!'

'And am I then a baron--a lord?' said the boy. 'Great lords have
books. Were there not some big ones on the hall window seats? Did
not Brother Eldred begin to teach me my letters? I would that I
could go on to learn more!'

'Oh, I would that thou couldst have all knightly training, and learn
to use sword and lance like thy gallant father!'

'Nay, but I saw a poor man fall off his horse and lie hurt, I do not
want those hard, cruel ways. And my father was slain. Must a lord