"So！"saidSirJames。"Nowmindtheeofthis，thatwhenthoustrikestthatlowercutatthelegs，recoverthyselfmorequickly。Now，then，strikemeitatthepel。"
　　Gascoyneandotheroftheladswhowerejustthenlyingstretchedoutuponthegrassbeneath，atreeattheedgeoftheopencourtwherestoodthepels，wereinterestedspectatorsofthewholescene。NotoneofthemintheirmemoryhadheardSirJamessoansweredfacetofaceasMyleshadansweredhim，and，afterall，perhapstheladhimselfwouldnothavedonesohadhebeenlongeraresidentinthesquires’quartersatDevlen。
　　"By’rLady！thouartacoolblade，Myles，"saidGascoyne，astheymarchedbacktothearmoryagain。"NeverheardIonebespeakSirJamesasthouhastdonethisday。"
　　"And，afterall，"saidanotheroftheyoungsquires，"oldBruinwasnotsoill—pleased，methinks。Thatwasashrewdblowhefetchedtheeonthecrown，Falworth。Marry，Iwouldnothavehaditonmyownskullforasilverpenny。"
　　CHAPTER7
　　Solittledoesittaketomakeabody’sreputation。
　　Thatnightallthesquires’quartersbuzzedwiththestoryofhowthenewboy，Falworth，hadansweredSirJamesLeetohisfacewithoutfear，andhadexchangedblowswithhimhandtohand。
　　WalterBlunthimselfwasmovedtosomeshowofinterest。
　　"Whatsaidhetothee，Falworth？"askedhe。
　　"Hesaidnaught，"saidMyles，brusquely。"Heonlysoughttoshowmehowtorecoverfromtheundercut。"
　　"Itispassingstrangethatheshouldtakesomuchnoticeoftheeastoexchangeblowswiththeewithhisownhand。Haplythouarteitherveryquickorparlousslowatarms。"
　　"Itisquickthatheis，"saidGascoyne，speakingupinhisfriend’sbehalf。"ForthesecondtimethatFalworthdeliveredthestroke，SirJamescouldnotreachhimtoreturn；soIsawwithmineowneyes。"
　　ButthatverysterlingindependencethathadbroughtMylessocreditablythroughthisadventurewascertaintoembroilhimwiththerude，half—savageladsabouthim，someofwhom，especiallyamongthebachelors，werehissuperiorsaswellinageasinskillandtraining。Assaidbefore，thebachelorshadenforcedfromtheyoungerboysafaggingsortofattendanceontheirvariouspersonalneeds，anditwasuponthispointthatMylesfirstcametogrief。Asitchanced，severaldayspassedbeforeanydemandwasmadeuponhimforservicetotheheadsofthesquirehood，butwhenthatdemandwasmade，thebachelorswereveryquicktoseethattheboywhowasboldenoughtospeakuptoSirJamesLeewasnotlikelytobeawillingfagforthem。
　　"Itellthee，Francis，"hesaid，asGascoyneandhetalkedoverthematteroneday——"ItelltheeIwillneverservethem。
　　Prithee，whatshamecanbefoulerthantodosuchmenialservice，savingforone’srightfulLord？"
　　"Marry！"quothGascoyne；"Ireasonnotofshameatthisorthat。
　　AllIknowisthatothersservethemwhoarehaplyasgoodandmaybebetterthanIbe，andthatifIdonotservethemIgetknockedi’th’headtherefore，whichsamegoethsoothlyagainstmystomach。"
　　"Ijudgenotforthee，"saidMyles。"Thouartusedtothesecastleways，butonlyIknowthatIwillnotservethem，thoughtheybethirtyagainstmeinsteadofthirteen。"
　　"Thenthouartafool，"saidGascoyne，dryly。
　　NowinthismatterofservicetherewasonethingaboveallothersthatstirredMylesFalworth’sill—liking。ThewinterbeforehehadcometoDevlen，WalterBlunt，whowassomewhatofaSybariteinhisway，andwhohadarepugnancetobathinginthegeneraltankintheopenarmorycourtinfrostyweather，hadhadDickCarpenterbuildatroughinthecornerofthedormitoryfortheuseofthebachelors，andeverymorningitwasthedutyoftwooftheyoungersquirestobringthreepailsofwatertofillthisprivatetankfortheuseoftheheadesquires。Itwasseeingtwoofhisfellow—esquiresfetchingandcarryingthiswaterthatMylesdislikedsoheartily，andeverymorninghisbilewasstirredanewatthesight。
　　"SoonerwouldIdiethanyieldtosuchvileservice，"saidhe。
　　Hedidnotknowhowsoonhisprotestationswouldbeputtothetest。
　　Onenight——itwasaweekortwoafterMyleshadcometoDevlen——BluntwascalledtoattendtheEarlatlivery。Theliverywasthelastmealoftheday，andwasservedwithgreatpompandceremonyaboutnineo’clockatnighttotheheadofthehouseashelayinbed。Curfewhadnotyetrung，andtheladsinthesquires’quarterswerestillwrestlingandsparringandrompingboisterouslyinandoutaroundthelongrowofrudecotsinthegreatdormitoryastheymadereadyforthenight。Sixoreightflaringlinksinwrought—ironbracketsthatstoodoutfromthewallthrewagreatruddyglarethroughthebarrack—likeroom——alightofallotherstorompby。MylesandGascoynewereengagedindefendingthepassage—waybetweentheirtwocotsagainsttheattackofthreeotherlads，andMylesheldhissheepskincoverletrolledupintoaballandbalancedinhishand，readyforlaunchingattheheadofoneoftheotherssosoonasitshouldrisefrombehindtheshelterofacot。JustthenWalterBlunt，dressedwithmorethanusualcare，passedbyonhiswaytotheEarl’shouse。Hestoppedforamomentandsaid，"MayhapsIwillnotbeinuntillateto—night。ThouandFalworth，Gascoyne，mayfetchwaterto—morrow。
　　Thenhewasgone。Mylesstoodstaringafterhisretreatingfigurewitheyesopenandmouthagape，stillholdingtheballofsheepskinbalancedinhishand。Gascoyneburstintoahelplesslaughathisblank，stupefiedface，butthenextmomenthelaidhishandonhisfriend’sshoulder。
　　"Myles，"hesaid，"thouwiltnotmaketrouble，wiltthou？"
　　Mylesmadenoanswer。Heflungdownhissheepskinandsathimgloomilydownuponthesideofthecot。
　　"IsaidthatIwouldsoonerdiethanfetchwaterforthem，"saidhe。
　　"Aye，aye，"saidGascoyne；"butthatwasspokeninhaste。"
　　Mylessaidnothing，butshookhishead。
　　But，afterall，circumstancesshapethemselves。Thenextmorningwhenheroseupthroughthedarkwatersofsleepitwastofeelsomeoneshakinghimviolentlybytheshoulder。
　　"Come！"criedGascoyne，asMylesopenedhiseyes——"come，timepasseth，andwearelate。"
　　Myles，bewilderedwithhissuddenawakening，andstillfuddledwiththefumesofsleep，huddledintohisdoubletandhose，hardlyknowingwhathewasdoing；tyingapointhereandapointthere，andslippinghisfeetintohisshoes。ThenhehurriedafterGascoyne，frowzy，half—dressed，andevenyetonlyhalf—awake。ItwasnotuntilhewasfairlyoutintothefreshairandsawGascoynefillingthethreeleathernbucketsatthetank，thathefullyawakenedtothefactthathewasactuallydoingthathatefulserviceforthebachelorswhichhehadprotestedhewouldsoonerdiethanrender。
　　Thesunwasjustrising，gildingthecrownofthedonjon—keepwithaflameofruddylight。Below，amongthelesserbuildings，thedaywasstillgrayandmisty。Onlyanoccasionalnoisebrokethesilenceoftheearlymorning：acoughfromoneoftherooms；
　　therattleofapotorapan，stirredbysomesleepyscullion；
　　theclappingofadoororashutter，andnowandthenthecrowingofacockbackofthelongrowofstables——allsoundingloudandstartlinginthefreshdewystillness。
　　"Thouhastbetrayedme，"saidMyles，harshly，breakingthesilenceatlast。"IknewnotwhatIwasdoing，orelseIwouldneverhavecomehither。Ne’theless，eventhoughIbecome，Iwillnotcarrythewaterforthem。"
　　"Sobeit，"saidGascoyne，tartly。"Anthoucanstnotstomachit，letbe，andIwille’encarryallthreemyself。Itwillmakemetwojourneys，but，thankHeaven，Iamnotsoproudastowishtogetmehardknocksfornaught。"Sosaying，hepickeduptwoofthebucketsandstartedawayacrossthecourtforthedormitory。
　　ThenMyles，withaloweringface，snatchedupthethird，and，hurryingafter，gavehimhishandwiththeextrapail。Soitwasthathecametodoservice，afterall。
　　"Whytarriedyesolong？"saidoneoftheolderbachelors，roughly，asthetwoladsemptiedthewaterintothewoodentrough。Hesatontheedgeofthecot，blowzedanduntrussed，withhislonghairtumbledanddisordered。
　　HisdictatorialtonestungMylestofury。"Wetarriednolongerthanneedbe，"answeredhe，savagely。"Havewewingstoflywithalatyourbidding？"
　　Hespokesoloudlythatallintheroomheardhim；theyoungersquireswhoweredressingstaredinblankamazement，andBluntsatupsuddenlyinhiscot。
　　"Why，hownow？"hecried。"Answerestthoubackthybetterssopertly，sirrah？Bymysoul，Ihaveamindtocrackthyheadwiththisclogforthyunrulytalk。"
　　HeglaredatMylesashespoke，andMylesglaredbackagainwithrightgood—will。Mattersmighthavecometoacrisis，onlythatGascoyneandWilkesdraggedtheirfriendawaybeforehehadopportunitytoanswer。
　　"Anill—conditionedknaveaseverIdidsee，"growledBlunt，glaringafterhim。
　　"Myles，Myles，"saidGascoyne，almostdespairingly，"whywiltthoubreedsuchmischiefforthyself？Seestthounotthouhastgottheetheill—willofeveryoneofthebachelors，fromWatBlunttoRobindeRamsey？"
　　"Icarenot，"saidMyles，fiercely，recurringtohisgrievance。
　　"Heardyenothowthedogsupbraidedmebeforethewholeroom？
　　ThatBluntcalledmeanill—conditionedknave。"
　　"Marry！"saidGascoyne，laughing，"andsothouart。"
　　Thusitisthatboldnessmaybreedoneenemiesaswellasgainonefriends。Myownnotionisthatone’senemiesaremorequicktoactthanone’sfriends。
　　CHAPTER8
　　Everyoneknowsthedisagreeable，lurkingdiscomfortthatfollowsaquarrel——adiscomfortthatimbitterstheverytasteoflifeforthetimebeing。SuchwasthedulldistastethatMylesfeltthatmorningafterwhathadpassedinthedormitory。Everyoneintheproximityofsuchanopenquarrelfeelsareflectedconstraint，andinMyles’smindwasadisagreeabledoubtwhetherthatconstraintmeantdisapprovalofhimorofhislateenemies。
　　ItseemedtohimthatGascoyneaddedthelastbittertwangtohisunpleasantfeelingswhen，halfanhourlater，theymarchedwiththeotherstochapel。
　　"Whydostthoubreedsuchtroubleforthyself，Myles？"saidhe，recurringtowhathehadalreadysaid。"Isitnotfoolishfortheetocomehithertothisplace，andthennotsubmittothewaysthereof，astherestofusdo？"
　　"Thoutalkestnotlikeatruefriendtochidemethus，"saidMyles，sullenly；andhewithdrewhisarmfromhisfriend’s。
　　"Marry，comeup！"saidGascoyne；"anIwerenotthyfriend，I
　　wouldlettheejogthineownway。Itachesnotmybonestohavethinedrubbed。"
　　Justthentheyenteredthechapel，andwordsthatmighthaveledtoaquarrelwerebroughttoaclose。
　　Myleswasnotslowtoseethathehadtheillwilloftheheadoftheircompany。ThatmorninginthearmoryhehadoccasiontoasksomequestionofBlunt；theheadsquirestaredcoldlyathimforamoment，gavehimashort，gruffanswer，andthen，turninghisbackabruptly，begantalkingwithoneoftheotherbachelors。
　　Mylesflushedhotattheother’sinsultingmanner，andlookedquicklyaroundtoseeifanyoftheothershadobservedwhathadpassed。Itwasacomforttohimtoseethatallweretoobusyarmingthemselvestothinkofanythingelse；nevertheless，hisfacewasveryloweringasheturnedaway。
　　"SomedayIwillshowhimthatIamasgoodamanashe，"hemutteredtohimself。"Anevil—hearteddogtoputshameuponme！"
　　Thestormwasbrewingandreadytobreak。
　　Thatdaywasexceptionallyhotandclose，andpermissionhadbeenaskedbyandgrantedtothosesquiresnotondutytogodowntotheriverforabathafterexerciseatthepels。ButasMylesreplacedhisarmsintherack，alittlepagecamewithabiddingtocometoSirJamesinhisoffice。
　　"Looknow，"saidMyles，"hereisjustmyill—fortune。Whymighthenothavewaitedanhourlongerratherthancausemetomissgoingwithye？"
　　"Nay，"saidGascoyne，"letnotthatgrievethee，Myles。WilkesandIwillwaitfortheeinthedormitory——willwenot，Edmund？
　　MakethouhasteandgotoSirJames。"
　　SirJameswassittingatthetablestudyingoverascrollofparchment，whenMylesenteredhisofficeandstoodbeforehimatthetable。
　　"Well，boy，"saidhe，layingasidetheparchmentandlookingupatthelad，"Ihavetriedtheefairlyforthesefewdays，andmaysaythatIhavefoundtheeworthytobeenteredupontherollsasesquireofthebody。"
　　"Igivetheethanks，sir，"saidMyles。
　　Theknightnoddedhisheadinacknowledgement，butdidnotatoncegivethewordofdismissalthatMyleshadexpected。"Dostmeantowritetheealetterhomesoon？"saidhe，suddenly。
　　"Aye，"saidMyles，gapingingreatwondermentatthestrangenessofthequestion。
　　"Thenwhenthoudostsowrite，"saidSirJames，"givethoumydeepregardstothyfather。"Thenhecontinued，afterabriefpause。"HimdidIknowwellintimesgoneby，andwewererighttruefriendsinheartylove，andforhissakeIwouldbefriendthee——thatis，insomuchasisfitting。"
　　"Sir，"saidMyles；butSirJameshelduphishand，andhestoppedshortinhisthanks。
　　"But，boy，"saidhe，"thatwhichIsentfortheefortotelltheewasofmoreimportthanthese。Dostthouknowthatthyfatherisanattaintedoutlaw？"
　　"Nay，"criedMyles，hischeeksblazingupasredasfire；"whosayeththatofhimliethinhisteeth。"
　　"Thoudostmistakeme，"saidSirJames，quietly。"Itissometimesnoshametobeoutlawedandbanned。Haditbeenso，Iwouldnothavetoldtheethereof，norhavebiddentheesendmytruelovetothyfather，asIdidbutnow。But，boy，certeshestandestcontinuallyingreatdanger——greaterthanthouwottestof。Wereitknownwhereheliethhid，itmightbetohisundoingandutterruin。Methoughtthatbelikethoumightestnotknowthat；andsoI
　　sentfortheefortotelltheethatitbehoovesttheetosaynotonesinglewordconcerninghimtoanyofthesenewfriendsofthine，norwhoheis，norwhatheis。"
　　"Buthowcamemyfathertobesobanned？"saidMyles，inaconstrainedandhuskyvoice，andafteralongtimeofsilence。
　　"ThatImaynottelltheejustnow，"saidtheoldknight，"onlythis——thatIhavebeenbiddentomakeitknowntotheethatthyfatherhathanenemyfullaspowerfulasmyLordtheEarlhimself，andthatthroughthatenemyallhisill—fortune——hisblindnessandeverything——hathcome。Moreover，didthisenemyknowwherethyfatherlieth，hewouldslayhimrightspeedily。"
　　"Sir，"criedMyles，violentlysmitinghisopenpalmuponthetable，"tellmewhothismanis，andIwillkillhim！"
　　SirJamessmiledgrimly。"Thoutalkestlikeaboy，"saidhe。
　　"Waituntilthouartgrowntobeaman。Mayhapthenthoumaystrepenttheeoftheseboldwords，foronetimethisenemyofthyfather’swasreckonedtheforemostknightinEngland，andheisnowtheKing’sdearfriendandagreatlord。"
　　"But，"saidMyles，afteranotherlongtimeofheavysilence，"willnotmyLordthenbefriendmeforthesakeofmyfather，whowasonetimehisdearcomrade？"
　　SirJamesshookhishead。"Itmaynotbe，"saidhe。"NeitherthounorthyfathermustlookforopenfavorfromtheEarl。AnhebefriendedFalworth，anditcametobeknownthathehadgivenhimaidorsuccor，itmightbelikebetohisownundoing。No，boy；thoumustnotevenlooktobetakenintothehouseholdtoservewithgentlemenastheothersquiresdoserve，butmustevenlivethineownlifehereandfightthineownway。"
　　Myles’seyesblazed。"Then，"criedhe，fiercely，"itisshameandattaintuponmyLordtheEarl，andcowardiceaswell，andneverwillIaskfavorofhimwhoissountrueafriendastoturnhisbackuponacomradeintroubleasheturnethhisbackuponmyfather。"
　　"Thouartafoolishboy，"saidSirJameswithabittersmile，"andknowestnaughtoftheworld。Anthouwouldstlookformantobefriendmantohisowndanger，thoumustlookelsewherethanonthisearth。WasInotonetimeMackworth’sdearfriendaswellasthyfather？Itcouldcosthimnaughttohonorme，andhereamI
　　fallentobeateacherofboys。Goto！thouartafool。"
　　Then，afteralittlepauseofbroodingsilence，hewentontosaythattheEarlwasnobetterorworsethantherestoftheworld。
　　Thatmenofhispositionhadmanyjealousenemies，everseekingtheirruin，andthatsuchmustlookfirstofalleachtohimself，orelsebecertainlyruined，anddragdownothersinthatruin。
　　Myleswassilenced，butthebitternesshadenteredhisheart，andabidedwithhimformanyadayafterwards。
　　PerhapsSirJamesreadhisfeelingsinhisfrankface，forhesatlookingcuriouslyathim，twirlinghisgrizzledmustachethewhile。"Thouartliketohavehardknocksofit，lad，erethouhastgottentheesafethroughtheworld，"saidhe，withmorekindnessinhisharshvoicethanwasusual。"Butgettheenotintofightsbeforethytime。"Thenhechargedtheboyveryseriouslytoliveatpeacewithhisfellow—squires，andforhisfather’ssakeaswellashisowntoenterintononeofthebroilsthatweresofrequentintheirquarters。
　　ItwaswiththisspecialadmonitionagainstbrawlingthatMyleswasdismissed，toenter，beforefiveminuteshadpassed，intothefirstreallygreatfightofhislife。
　　BesidesGascoyneandWilkes，hefoundgatheredinthedormitorysixoreightofthecompanyofsquireswhoweretoservethatdayuponhouseholdduty；amongothers，WalterBluntandthreeotherbachelors，whowerechangingtheircoarseserviceclothesforothersmorefitforthehousehold。
　　"Whydidstthoutarrysolong，Myles？"saidGascoyne，asheentered。"Methoughtthouwertnevercoming。"
　　"Wheregoestthou，Falworth？"calledBluntfromtheotherendoftheroom，wherehewaslacinghisdoublet。
　　JustnowMyleshadnoheartintheswimmingorsportofanysort，butheanswered，shortly，"Igototherivertoswim。"
　　"Nay，"saidBlunt，"thougoestnotforthfromthecastleto—day。
　　Hastthouforgothowthoudidstanswermebackaboutfetchingthewaterthismorning？Thisdaythoumustdopenance，sogothoustraighttothearmoryandscourthouupmybreastplate。"
　　FromthetimehehadarisenthatmorningeverythinghadgonewrongwithMyles。Hehadfelthimselfalreadyoutratedinrenderingservicetothebachelors，hehadquarrelledwiththeheadoftheesquires，hehadnearlyquarrelledwithGascoyne，andthenhadcomethebitterestandworstofall，theknowledgethathisfatherwasanoutlaw，andthattheEarlwouldnotstretchoutahandtoaidhimortogivehimanycountenance。Blunt’swordsbroughtthelastbittercuttohisheart，andtheystunghimtofury。Forawhilehecouldnotanswer，butstoodglaringwithafacefairlyconvulsedwithpassionattheyoungman，whocontinuedhistoilet，unconsciousofthewrathofthenewrecruit。
　　GascoyneandWilkes，acceptingMyles’spunishmentasathingofcourse，wereabouttoleavethedormitorywhenMylescheckedthem。
　　"Stop，Francis！"hecried，hoarsely。"ThinkestthouthatIwillstaybehindtodoyondog’sdirtywork？No；Igowithye。"
　　Amomentortwoofdumb，silentamazementfollowedhisboldwords；thenBluntcried，"Artthoumad？"
　　"Nay，"answeredMylesinthesamehoarsevoice，"Iamnotmad。I
　　telltheeabettermanthanthoushouldstnotstaymefromgoinganIlisttogo。
　　"Iwillbreakthycockerelheadforthatspeech，"saidBlunt，furiously。Hestoopedashespoke，andpickedupaheavyclogthatlayathisfeet。
　　Itwasnoinsignificantweaponeither。Theshoesofthosedaysweresometimesmadeofcloth，andhadlongpointedtoesstuffedwithtoworwool。Inmuddyweatherthickheavyclogsorwoodensoleswerestrapped，likeaskate，tothebottomofthefoot。
　　ThatclogwhichBlunthadseizedwasperhapseighteenortwentyincheslong，twoortwoandahalfinchesthickattheheel，taperingtoapointatthetoe。Astheolderladadvanced，Gascoynesteppedbetweenhimandhisvictim。
　　"Donotharmhim，Blunt，"hepleaded。"Bearthouinmindhownew—comeheisamongus。Heknowethnotourwaysasyet。"
　　"Standthouback，Gascoyne，"saidBlunt，harshly，ashethrusthimaside。"Iwillteachhimourwayssothathewillnotsoonforgetthem。"
　　ClosetoMyles’sfeetwasanothercloglikethatonewhichBluntheld。Hesnatcheditup，andsethisbackagainstthewall，withawhitefaceandaheartbeatingheavilyandtumultuously，butwithcouragesteeledtomeetthecomingencounter。Therewasahard，grimlookinhisblueeyesthat，foramomentperhaps，quelledtheelderlad。Hehesitated。"Tom！Wat！Ned！"hecalledtotheotherbachelors，"comehither，andlendmeahandwiththisknave。"
　　"Anyecomenighme，"pantedMyles，"Iwillbrainthefirstwithinreach。"
　　ThenGascoynedodgedbehindtheothers，and，withoutbeingseen，slippedoutoftheroomforhelp。
　　Thebattlethatfollowedwasquick，sharp，andshort。AsBluntstrodeforward，Mylesstruck，andstruckwithmightandmain，buthewastooexcitedtodeliverhisblowwithcalculation。Bluntparrieditwiththeclogheheld，andthenextinstant，droppinghisweapon，grippedMylestightaboutthebody，pinninghisarmstohissides。
　　Mylesalsodroppedtheclogheheld，and，wrenchingouthisrightarmwithasuddenheave，struckBluntfullintheface，andthenwithanotherblowsenthimstaggeringback。Itallpassedinaninstant；thenextthethreeotherbachelorswereuponhim，catchinghimbythebody，thearms，thelegs。Foramomentortwotheyswayedandstumbledhitherandthither，andthendowntheyfellinastrugglingheap。
　　Mylesfoughtlikeawild—cat，kicking，struggling，scratching；
　　strikingwithelbowsandfists。Hecaughtoneofthethreebyhiscollar，andtorehisjacketopenfromthenecktothewaist；hedrovehisfootintothepitofthestomachofanother，andknockedhimbreathless。Theotherladsnotinthefightstooduponthebenchesandthebedsaround，butsuchwastheaweinspiredbytheprestigeofthebachelorsthatnotoneofthemdaredtolendhandtohelphim，andsoMylesfoughthisfiercebattlealone。
　　Butfourtoonewereoddstoogreat，andthoughMylesstruggledasfiercelyasever，by—and—byitwaswithlessandlessresistance。
　　Blunthadpickedupthecloghehaddroppedwhenhefirstattackedthelad，andnowstoodoverthestrugglingheap，whitewithrage，thebloodrunningfromhislip，cutandpuffedwhereMyleshadstruckhim，andmurderlookingoutfromhisface，ifeveritlookedoutofthefaceofanymortalbeing。
　　"Holdhimalittle，"saidhe，fiercely，"andIwillstillhimforyou。"
　　Evenyetitwasnoeasymatterfortheotherstodohisbidding，butpresentlyhegothischanceandstruckaheavy，cruelblowatMyles’shead。Mylesonlypartlywardeditwithhisarm。Hithertohehadfoughtinsilence，nowhegaveaharshcry。
　　"HolySaints！"criedEdmundWilkes。"Theywillkillhim。"
　　Bluntstrucktwomoreblows，bothofthemuponthebody，andthenatlasttheyhadthepoorboydown，withhisfaceuponthegroundandhisarmspinnedtohissides，andBlunt，bracinghimselfforthestroke，withagrinofrageraisedaheavyclogforoneterribleblowthatshouldfinishthefight。
　　CHAPTER9
　　"Hownow，messieurs？"saidaharshvoice，thatfellupontheturmoillikeathunder—clap，andtherestoodSirJamesLee。
　　Instantlythestruggleceased，andthecombatantsscrambledtotheirfeet。
　　Theolderladsstoodsilentbeforetheirchief，butMyleswasdeafandblindandmadwithpassion，heknewnotwherehestoodorwhathesaidordid。Whiteasdeath，hestoodforawhileglaringabouthim，catchinghisbreathconvulsively。Thenhescreamedhoarsely。
　　"Whostruckme？WhostruckmewhenIwasdown？Iwillhavehisbloodthatstruckme！"HecaughtsightofBlunt。"Itwashethatstruckme！"hecried。"Thoufoultraitor！thoucoward！"andthereuponleapedathisenemylikeawild—cat。
　　"Stop！"criedSirJamesLee，clutchinghimbythearm。
　　Myleswastooblindedbyhisfurytoseewhoitwasthatheldhim。"Iwillnotstop！"hecried，strugglingandstrikingattheknight。"Letmego！IwillhavehislifethatstruckmewhenI
　　wasdown！"
　　Thenextmomenthefoundhimselfpinnedcloseagainstthewall，andthen，asthoughhissightcameback，hesawthegrimfaceoftheoldone—eyedknightlookingintohis。
　　"DostthouknowwhoIam？"saidastern，harshvoice。
　　InstantlyMylesceasedstruggling，andhisarmsfellathisside。
　　"Aye，"hesaid，inagaspingvoice，"Iknowthee。"Heswallowedspasmodicallyforamomentortwo，andthen，inthesuddenrevulsionoffeeling，burstoutsobbingconvulsively。
　　SirJamesmarchedthetwoofftohisoffice，hehimselfwalkingbetweenthem，holdinganarmofeach，theotherladsfollowingbehind，awe—struckandsilent。Enteringtheoffice，SirJamesshutthedoorbehindhim，leavingthegroupofsquiresclusteredoutsideaboutthestonesteps，speculatinginwhispersastowhatwouldbetheoutcomeofthematter。
　　AfterSirJameshadseatedhimself，thetwostandingfacinghim，heregardedthemforawhileinsilence。"Hownow，WalterBlunt，"
　　saidheatlast，"whatistodo？"
　　"Why，this，"saidBlunt，wipinghisbleedinglip。"Thatfellow，MylesFalworth，hathbeenbreedingmutinyandrevolteversinhecamehitheramongus，andbecausehewasthusmutinousIwouldpunishhimtherefor。"
　　"Inthatthouliest！"burstoutMyles。"NeverhaveIbeenmutinousinmylife。"
　　"Besilent，sir，"saidSirJames，sternly。"Iwillheartheeanon。"
　　"Nay，"saidMyles，withhislipstwitchingandwrithing，"Iwillnotbesilent。Iamfriendlesshere，andyeareallagainstme，butIwillnotbesilent，andbrooktohaveliesspokenofme。"
　　EvenBluntstoodaghastatMyles’sboldness。NeverhadheheardanyonesospeaktoSirJamesbefore。Hedidnotdareforthemomenteventolookup。Secondaftersecondofdeadstillnesspassed，whileSirJamessatlookingatMyleswithastern，terrifyingcalmnessthatchilledhiminspiteoftheheatofhispassion。
　　"Sir，"saidtheoldmanatlast，inahard，quietvoice，"thoudostknownaughtofrulesandlawsofsuchaplaceasthis。
　　Nevertheless，itistimefortheetolearnthem。SoIwilltelltheenowthatifthouopenestthylipstosayonlyonesinglewordmoreexceptatmybidding，Iwillsendtheetotheblackvaultofthedonjontocoolthyhotspiritsonbreadandwaterforaweek。"Therewassomethinginthemeasuredquietnessoftheoldknight’stonethatquelledMylesutterlyandentirely。A
　　littlespaceofsilencefollowed。"Now，then，Blunt，"saidSirJames，turningtothebachelor，"tellmealltheinsandoutsofthisbusinesswithoutanymoreunderdealing。"
　　ThistimeBlunt’sstory，thoughnaturallyprejudicedinhisownfavor，wasfairlytrue。ThenMylestoldhissideofthecase，theoldknightlisteningattentively。
　　"Why，hownow，Blunt，"saidSirJames，whenMyleshadended，"I
　　myselfgavetheladsleavetogototherivertobathe。Whereforeshouldstthouforbidoneofthem？"
　　"Ididitbuttopunishthisfellowforhismutiny，"saidthebachelor。"Methoughtweattheirheadweretohaveoversightconcerningthem。"
　　"Soyeare，"saidtheknight；"butonlytoadegree。Ereyetakeituponyetogainsayanyofmyordersorpermits，comeyefirsttome。Dostthouunderstand？"
　　"Aye，"answeredBlunt，sullenly。
　　"Sobeit，andnowgettheegone，"saidtheknight；"andletmehearnomoreofbeatingoutbrainswithwoodenclogs。Anyefightyourbattles，lettherenotbemurderinthem。Thisistwicethatthelikehathhapped；ginIhearmoreofsuchdoings——"Hedidutterhisthreat，butstoppedshort，andfixedhisoneeyesternlyupontheheadsquire。"Nowshakehands，andbeyefriends，"saidhe，abruptly。
　　Bluntmadeamotiontoobey，butMylesputhishandbehindhim。
　　"Nay，IshakenothandswithanyonewhostruckmewhileIwasdown。"
　　"Sobeit，"saidtheknight，grimly。"Nowthoumaystgo，Blunt。
　　Thou，Falworth，stay；Iwouldbespeaktheefurther。"
　　"Tellme，"saidhe，whentheelderladhadleftthem，"whywiltthounotservethesebachelorsastheothersquiresdo？Suchisthecustomhere。Whywiltthounotobeyit？"
　　"Because，"saidMyles，"Icannotstomachit，andtheyshallnotmakemeservethem。Anthoubidmedoit，sir，Iwilldoit；butnotattheircommand。"
　　"Nay，"saidtheknight，"Idonotbidtheedothemservice。Thatliethwiththee，torenderornot，asthouseestfit。Buthowcanstthouhopetofightsingle—handedagainstthecommandsofadozenladsallolderandmightierthanthou？"
　　"Iknownot，"saidMyles；"butweretheyanhundred，insteadofthirteen，theyshouldnotmakemeservethem。"
　　"Thouartafool！"saidtheoldknight，smilingfaintly，"forthatbe’stnotcourage，butfolly。Whenonesettethaboutrightingawrong，onedrivethnotfullheadagainstit，forinsodoingonegettethnaughtbuthardknocks。Nay，godeftlyaboutit，andthen，whenthetimeisripe，striketheblow。NowourbelovedKingHenry，whenhewastheEarlofDerby，whatcouldhehavegainedhadhestoodsoagainsttheoldKingRichard，brookingtheKingfacetoface？Itelltheehewouldhavebeenknockedontheheadasthouwertliketohavebeenthisday。NowwereIthee，andhadtofightafightagainstodds，Iwouldfirstgetmefriendsbehindme，andthen——"Hestoppedshort，butMylesunderstoodhimwellenough。
　　"Sir，"saidhe，withagulp，"Idothanktheeforthyfriendship，andaskthypardonfordoingasIdidanon。"
　　"Igranttheepardon，"saidtheknight，"buttelltheeplainly，anthoudostfacemesoagain，Iwilltrulysendtheetotheblackcellforaweek。Nowgettheeaway。"
　　AlltheotherladsweregonewhenMylescameforth，saveonlythefaithfulGascoyne，whosacrificedhisbaththatdaytostaywithhisfriend；andperhapsthatlittleactofself—denialmovedMylesmorethanmanyagreatthingmighthavedone。
　　"Itwasrightkindofthee，Francis，"saidhe，layinghishandaffectionatelyonhisfriend’sshoulder。"Iknownotwhythoulovestmeso。"
　　"Why，foronething，thismatter，"answeredhisfriend；"becausemethinksthouartthebestfighterandthebravestoneofallofussquires。"
　　Myleslaughed。NeverthelessGascoyne’swordswereasoothingbalmformuchthathadhappenedthatday。"Iwillfightmenomorejustnow，"saidhe；andthenhetoldhisfriendallthatSirJameshadadvisedaboutbidinghistime。
　　Gascoyneblewalongwhistle。"Beshrewme！"quothhe，"butmethinksoldBruinisonthysideofthequarrel，Myles。Anthatbeso，Iamwiththeealso，andothersthatIcannameaswell。"
　　"Sobeit，"saidMyles。"ThenamIcontenttoabidethetimewhenwemaybecomestrongenoughtostandagainstthem。"
　　CHAPTER10
　　PerhapstherEisnothingmoredelightfulintheromanceofboyhoodthanthefindingofsomesecrethiding—placewhitherabodymaycreepawayfromthebustleoftheworld’slife，tonestleinquietnessforanhourortwo。Moreespeciallyissuchdelightfulifithappenthat，bypeepingfromoutit，onemaylookdownuponthebustlingmattersofbusyevery—daylife，whileoneliessnuglyhiddenawayunseenbyany，asthoughonewereinsomestrangeinvisibleworldofone’sown。
　　Suchahiding—placeaswouldhavefilledtheheartofalmostanyboywithsweetdelightMylesandGascoynefoundonesummerafternoon。TheycalledittheirEyry，andthenamesuitedwellfortheroosting—placeoftheyounghawksthatrestedinitswindystillness，lookingdownupontheshiftingcastlelifeinthecourtsbelow。
　　Behindthenorthstable，agreat，long，ramblingbuilding，thick—walled，andblackwithage，layanolderpartofthecastlethanthatpeopledbythebetterclassoflife——aclusterofgreatthickwalls，rudelybutstronglybuilt，nowthedwelling—placeofstable—ladsandhinds，swineandpoultry。Fromonepartoftheseancientwalls，andfrontinganinnercourtofthecastle，aroseatall，circular，heavy—buttressedtower，considerablyhigherthantheotherbuildings，andsomantledwithadensegrowthofagedivyastostandashaftofsolidgreen。Aboveitscrumblingcrowncircledhundredsofpigeons，whiteandpied，clappingandclatteringinnoisyflightthroughthesunnyair。Severalwindows，someclosedwithshutters，peepedhereandtherefromouttheleaves，andnearthetopofthepilewasarowofarchedopenings，asthoughofabalconyoranairygallery。
　　Myleshadmorethanoncefeltanidlecuriosityaboutthistower，andoneday，asheandGascoynesattogether，hepointedhisfingerandsaid，"Whatisyonplace？"
　　"That，"answeredGascoyne，lookingoverhisshoulder——"thattheycallBrutusTower，forwhytheydosaythatBrutushebuiltitwhenhecamehithertoBritain。Ibelievenotthetalemineownself；ne’theless，itismarvellousancient，andoldRobin—the—Fletchertellethmethattherebestairwaysbuiltinthewallandpassage—ways，andamazewhereinabodymaygetlost，anheknownotthewayaright，andneverseetheblessedlightofdayagain。"
　　"Marry，"saidMyles，"thosesamebestrangesayings。Wholiveththerenow？"
　　"Nooneliveththere，"saidGascoyne，"savingonlysomeofthestablevillains，andthathalf—wittedgoose—herdwhoflungstonesatusyesterdaywhenwemockedhimdowninthepaddock。Heandhiswifeandthoseothersdwellinthevaultsbeneath，likerabbitsinanywarren。NooneelsehathlivedtheresinceEarlRobert’sday，whichbelikewasanhundredyearsagone。ThestorygoeththatEarlRobert’sbrother——orstep—brother——wasmurderedthere，andsomemensaybytheEarlhimself。Sinthatdayithathbeentightshut。"
　　Mylesstaredatthetowerforawhileinsilence。"Itisastrange—seemingplacefromwithout，"saidhe，atlast，"andmayhapitmaybeevenmorestrangeinside。Hasteverbeenwithin，Francis？"
　　"Nay，"saidGascoyne；"saidInotithathbeenfastlockedsinceEarlRobert’sday？"
　　"By’rLady，"saidMyles，"anIhadlivedhereinthisplacesolongasthou，IwotIwouldhavebeenwithiniterethis。"
　　"Beshrewme，"saidGascoyne，"butIhaveneverthoughtofsuchamatter。"Heturnedandlookedatthetallcrownrisingintothewarmsunlightwithanewinterest，forthethoughtofenteringitsmackedpleasantlyofadventure。"Howwouldstthousetaboutgettingwithin？"saidhe，presently。
　　"Why，look，"saidMyles；"seestthounotyonholeintheivybranches？Methinksthereisawindowatthatplace。AnImistakenot，itisinreachofthestableeaves。Abodymightcomeupbythefagotpiletotheroofofthehen—house，andthenbythelongstabletothenorthstable，andsotothathole。"
　　GascoynelookedthoughtfullyattheBrutusTower，andthensuddenlyinquired，"Wouldstgothere？"
　　"Aye，"saidMyles，briefly。
　　"Sobeit。Leadthouthewayintheventure，Iwillfollowafterthee，"saidGascoyne。
　　AsMyleshadsaid，theclimbingfromrooftoroofwasamattereasyenoughtoanactivepairofladslikethemselves；butwhen，by—and—by，theyreachedthewallofthetoweritself，theyfoundthehiddenwindowmuchhigherfromtheroofthantheyhadjudgedfrombelow——perhapstenortwelvefeet——anditwas，besides，beyondtheeavesandoutoftheirreach。
　　Myleslookedupandlookeddown。Abovewasthebushythicknessoftheivy，thebranchesasthickasawoman’swrist，knottedandintertwined；belowwasthestonepavementofanarrowinnercourtbetweentwoofthestablebuildings。
　　"MethinksIcanclimbtoyonplace，"saidhe。
　　"Thou’ltbreakthyneckanthoutryest，"saidGascoyne，hastily。
　　"Nay，"quothMyles，"Itrustnot；butbreakormake，wegetnottherewithouttrying。Soheregoethfortheventure。"
　　"Thouartahare—brainedknaveaseverdrewbreathoflife，"
　　quothGascoyne，"andwillcausemetocometogriefsomeofthesefinedays。Ne’theless，anthoubeJackFoolandleadtheway，go，andIwillbeTomFoolandfollowanon。Ifthyneckisworthsolittle，mineisworthnomore。"
　　Itwasindeedaperilousclimb，butthatspecialprovidencewhichguardsrecklessladsbefriendedthem，asithasthousandsoftheirkindbeforeandsince。So，byclimbingfromoneknotted，clingingstemtoanother，theywerepresentlyseatedsnuglyintheiviednicheinthewindow。Itwasbarredfromwithinbyacrumblingshutter，therustyfasteningofwhich，aftersomelittleeffortuponthepartofthetwo，gaveway，andenteringthenarrowopening，theyfoundthemselvesinasmalltriangularpassage—way，fromwhichasteepflightofstonestepsleddownthroughahollowinthemassivewalltotheroombelow。
　　Atthebottomofthestepswasaheavyoakendoor，whichstoodajar，hanginguponasinglerustyhinge，andfromtheroomwithinadull，graylightglimmeredfaintly。Mylespushedthedoorfartheropen；itcreakedandgratedhorriblyonitsrustyhinge，and，asininstantanswertothediscordantshriek，cameafaintpipingsqueaking，arustlingandapatteringofsoftfootsteps。
　　"Theghosts！"criedGascoyne，inaquaveringwhisper，andforamomentMylesfeltthechillofgoose—fleshcreepupanddownhisspine。Butthenextmomenthelaughed。
　　"Nay，"saidhe，"theyberats。Lookatyonfellow，Francis！Be’stasbigasMotherJoan’skitten。Givemethatstone。"Heflungitattherat，anditflewclatteringacrossthefloor。Therewasanotherpatteringrustleofhundredsoffeet，andthenabreathlesssilence。
　　Theboysstoodlookingaroundthem，andastrangeenoughsightitwas。Theroomwasaperfectcircleofabouttwentyfeetacross，andwaspiledhighwithanindistinguishablemassoflumber——rudetables，ruderchairs，ancientchests，bitsandremnantsofclothandsackingandleather，oldhelmetsandpiecesofarmorofaby—gonetime，brokenspearsandpole—axes，potsandpansandkitchenfurnitureofallsortsandkinds。
　　Astraightbeamofsunlightfellthroughabrokenshutterlikeabarofgold，andfelluponthefloorinalongstreakofdazzlinglightthatilluminatedthewholeroomwithayellowglow。
　　"By’rLady！"saidGascoyneatlast，inahushedvoice，"hereisFatherTime’sgarretforsure。Didsteverseethelike，Myles？
　　Lookatyonarbalist；sureBrutushimselfusedsuchanone！"
　　"Nay，"saidMyles；"butlookatthissaddle。Marry，herebe’starat’snestinit。"
　　Cloudsofdustroseastheyrummagedamongthemoulderingmass，settingthemcoughingandsneezing。Nowandthenagreatgrayratwouldshootoutbeneaththeirveryfeet，anddisappear，likeasuddenshadow，intosomeholeorcrannyinthewall。
　　"Come，"saidMylesatlast，brushingthedustfromhisjacket，"anwetarryherelongerwewillhavechancetoseenoothersights；thesunisfallinglow。"
　　Anarchedstair—wayupontheoppositesideoftheroomfromwhichtheyhadenteredwoundupwardthroughthewall，thestonestepsbeinglightedbynarrowslitsofwindowscutthroughthemassivemasonry。Abovetheroomtheyhadjustleftwasanotherofthesameshapeandsize，butwithanoakfloor，saggingandrisingintohollowsandhills，wherethejoisthadrottedawaybeneath。
　　Itwasbareandempty，andnotevenaratwastobeseen。Abovewasanotherroom；abovethat，another；allthepassagesandstairwayswhichconnectedtheonestorywiththeotherbeingbuiltinthewall，whichwas，wheresolid，perhapsfifteenfeetthick。
　　Fromthethirdfloorastraightflightofstepsledupwardtoacloseddoor，fromtheothersideofwhichshonethedazzlingbrightnessofsunlight，andwhencecameastrangenoise——asoftrustling，amelodiousmurmur。Theboysputtheirshouldersagainstthedoor，whichwasfastened，andpushedwithmightandmain——once，twice；suddenlythelockgaveway，andouttheypitchedheadlongintoablazeofsunlight。Adeafeningclappinganduproarsoundedintheirears，andscoresofpigeons，suddenlydisturbed，roseinstormyflight。
　　Theysatupandlookedaroundtheminsilentwonder。Theywereinabowerofleafygreen。Itwasthetopstoryofthetower，theroofofwhichhadcrumbledandtoppledin，leavingitopentothesky，withonlyhereandthereaslantingbeamortwosupportingaportionofthetiledroof，affordingshelterforthenestsofthepigeonscrowdedcloselytogether。Overeverythingtheivyhadgrowninamantlingsheet——anet—workofshimmeringgreen，throughwhichthesunlightfellflickering。
　　"Thispassethwonder，"saidGascoyne，atlastbreakingthesilence。
　　"Aye，"saidMyles，"Ididneverseethelikeinallmylife。"
　　Then，"Look，yonderisaroombeyond；letusseewhatitis，Francis。"
　　Enteringanarcheddoor—way，thetwofoundthemselvesinabeautifullittlevaultedchapel，abouteighteenfeetlongandtwelveorfifteenwide。Itcomprisedthecrownofoneofthelargemassivebuttresses，andfromitopenedtherowofarchedwindowswhichcouldbeseenfrombelowthroughthegreenshimmeringoftheivyleaves。Theboyspushedasidethetrailingtendrilsandlookedoutanddown。Thewholecastlelayspreadbelowthem，withthebusypeopleunconsciouslyintentuponthemattersoftheirdailywork。Theycouldseethegardener，withbowedback，patientlyworkingamongtheflowersinthegarden，thestable—boysbelowgroomingthehorses，abevyofladiesintheprivygardenplayingatshuttlecockwithbattledoorsofwood，agroupofgentlemenwalkingupanddowninfrontoftheEarl’shouse。Theycouldseethehouseholdservantshurryinghitherandthither，twolittlescullionsatfisticuffs，andakitchengirlstandinginthedoor—wayscratchingherfrowzyhead。
　　Itwasalllikeapuppetshowofreallife，eachactingunconsciouslyapartintheplay。Thecoolwindcameinthroughtherustlingleavesandfannedtheircheeks，hotwiththeclimbupthewindingstair—way。
　　"WewillcallitourEyry，"saidGascoyne"andwewillbethehawksthatlivehere。"Andthatwashowitgotitsname。
　　ThenextdayMyleshadthearmorermakehimascoreoflargespikes，whichheandGascoynedrovebetweentheivybranchesandintothecementofthewall，andsomadeasafepassagewaybywhichtoreachthewindownicheinthewall。
　　CHAPTER11
　　THETWOfriendskeptthesecretoftheEyrytothemselvesforalittlewhile，nowandthenvisitingtheoldtowertorummageamongthelumberstoredinthelowerroom，ortoloiterawaytheafternooninthewindysolitudesoftheupperheights。Andinthatlittletime，whentheancientkeepwastothemasmallworldunknowntoanybutthemselves——aworldfarawayaboveallthedullmattersofevery—daylife——theytalkedofmanythingsthatmightelseneverhavebeenknowntooneanother。Mostlytheyspokethecruderomanticthoughtsanddesiresofboyhood’stime——chaffthrowntothewind，inwhich，however，layafewstrayseeds，fatedtofalltogoodearth，andtoripentofruitioninmanhood’sday。
　　IntheintimatetalksofthattimeMylesimpartedsomethingofhishonestsoliditytoGascoyne’ssomewhatweathercocknature，andtoMyles’sruderandmoreuncouthcharacterGascoynelentatoneofhisgentlermanners，learnedinhispagehoodserviceasattendantupontheCountessandherladies。
　　Inotherthings，also，thecharacterandexperienceoftheoneladhelpedtosupplywhatwaslackingintheother。MyleswasrepletewitholdLatingestes，fables，andsermonspickedupduringhisschoollife，inthoseintervalsofhismoreseriousstudieswhenPriorEdwardhadpermittedhimtobrowseinthegreenerpasturesoftheGestaRomanorumandtheDisciplinaClericalisofthemonasterylibrary，andGascoynewasneverwearyofhearinghimtellthosemarvellousstoriesculledfromthecrabbedLatinoftheoldmanuscriptvolumes。
　　UponhispartGascoynewasfulloftheloreofthewaiting—roomandtheantechamber，andMyles，whoinallhislifehadneverknownalady，youngorold，exceptinghismother，wasnevertiredoflyingsilentlylisteningtoGascoyne’schatterofthegaydoingsofthecastlegentle—life，inwhichhehadtakenpartsoofteninthemerrydaysofhispagehood。
　　"Idowonder，"saidMyles，quaintly，"thatthoucouldsteverfindthecouragetobespeakayoungmaid，Francis。NeverdidIdoso，norevercould。RatherwouldIfacethreestrongmenthanoneyoungdamsel。"
　　WhereuponGascoyneburstoutlaughing。"Marry！"quothhe，"theybenosuchterriblethings，butgentleandpleasantspoken，andsoftandsmoothasanycat。"
　　"Nomatterforthat，"saidMyles；"Iwouldnotfaceonesuchforworlds。"
　　Itwasduringtheshorttimewhen，sotospeak，thetwoownedthesolitudeoftheBrutusTower，thatMylestoldhisfriendofhisfather’soutlawryandoftheperilinwhichthefamilystood。Andthusitwas。
　　"Idomarvel，"saidGascoyneoneday，asthetwolaystretchedintheEyry，lookingdownintothecastlecourt—yardbelow——"Idomarvel，nowthatthouart’stablishedherethismonthandmore，thatmyLorddothneverhavetheecalledtoserviceuponhouseholdduty。Canstthouriddlemewhyitisso，Myles？"
　　ThesubjectwasaverysoreonewithMyles。UntilSirJameshadtoldhimofthematterinhisofficethatdayhehadneverknownthathisfatherwasattaintedandoutlawed。HehadacceptedthechangefromtheirearlierstateandthebaldpovertyoftheirlifeatCrosbey—Holtwiththeeasycarelessnessofboyhood，andSirJames’swordswerethefirsttoawakenhimtoarealizationofthemisfortunesofthehouseofFalworth。Hiswasabroodingnature，andinthethreeorfourweeksthatpassedhehadmeditatedsomuchoverwhathadbeentoldhim，thatby—and—byitalmostseemedasifashadowofshameresteduponhisfather’sfairfame，eventhoughtheattaintsetuponhimwasunrighteousandunjust，asMylesknewitmustbe。HehadfeltangryandresentfulattheEarl’sneglect，andasdayspassedandhewasnotnoticedinanyway，hisheartwasattimesverybitter。
　　SonowGascoyne’sinnocentquestiontouchedasorespot，andMylesspokewithasharp，angrypaininhisvoicethatmadetheotherlookquicklyup。"SoonerwouldmyLordhaveyonderswineherdservehiminthehouseholdthanme，"saidhe。
　　"Whymaythatbe，Myles？"saidGascoyne。
　　"Because，"answeredMyles，withthesameangrybitternessinhisvoice，"eithertheEarlisacowardthatfearethtobefriendme，orelseheisacaitiff，ashamedofhisownfleshandblood，andofme，thesonofhisone—timecomrade。"
　　Gascoyneraisedhimselfuponhiselbow，andopenedhiseyeswideinwonder。"Afeardofthee，Myles！"quothhe。"Whyshouldhebeafearedtobefriendthee？WhoartthouthattheEarlshouldfearthee？"
　　Myleshesitatedforamomentortwo；wisdombadehimremainsilentuponthedangeroustopic，buthisheartyearnedforsympathyandcompanionshipinhistrouble。"Iwilltellthee，"
　　saidhe，suddenly，andtherewithpouredoutallofthestory，sofarasheknewit，tohislistening，wonderingfriend，andhisheartfeltlightertobethuseasedofitsburden。"Andnow，"
　　saidhe，asheconcluded，"isnotthisEarlamean—heartedcaitifftoleaveme，thesonofhisone—timefriendandkinsman，thustostandortofallaloneamongstrangersandinastrangeplacewithoutoncestretchingmeahelpinghand？"Hewaited，andGascoyneknewthatheexpectedananswer。