that practice with the sword, you would not have had the quickness of
thought that enabled you to get out of the scrape. You might have stood
between the bull and your sister, but if you had done so you would only
have been tossed, and perhaps gored or trampled to death afterwards. I
will have the beast killed, or otherwise he will be doing mischief. There
are not many who pass through the field, still I don't want to have any of
my tenants killed.

"Well, Master Ormskirk, both my wife and I feel grateful to you for what
you have done for Albert. There are the makings of a man in him now, let
him take up what trade he will. I don't say much, boy, it is not my way;
but if you ever want a friend, whether it be at court or camp, you can
rely upon me to do as much for you as I would for one of my own; maybe
more, for I deem that a man cannot well ask for favours for those of his
own blood, but he can speak a good word, and even urge his suit for one
who is no kin to him. So far as I understand, you have not made up your
mind in what path you will embark."

"No, Sir Ralph, for at present, although we can scarce be said to be at
peace with the French, we are not fighting with them. Had it been so I
would willingly have joined the train of some brave knight raising a force
for service there. There is ever fighting in the North, but with the Scots
it is but a war of skirmishes, and not as it was in Edward's reign.
Moreover, by what my father says, there seems no reason for harrying
Scotland far and near, and the fighting at present is scarce of a nature
in which much credit is to be gained."

"You might enter the household of some powerful noble, lad."

"My father spoke to me of that, Sir Ralph, but told me that he would