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light. The sun had set and the long shadows across the grass were lost in the greater shadow of evening. As the world without had grown darker, the lights within seemed to have grown brighter.

“Come, fellow, come into the hall. So! Have I not seen thee before?’’

"Yea, Sir John."

“Ha! I can remember faces. Aye, there are few that escape me. Let us consider. Why, on my life! This is the lad that gave Barwick such a tumbling that the fellow walked lame for a month. Speak up! Have I not placed thee right?”

“Though I was faint for want of food, I was quicker on my feet than he.”

The old man laughed until his brave curls shook.

"In faith, and it is said with moderation. And what now, lad? What hath brought thee hither?”

"Since Barwick hath left your service — ”

“That he hath, that he hath!”

“It seemed there might be a place for a keeper.”

“For a keeper? Ha, ha, ha! Nay, th’ art too spirited a lad to waste away as keeper. Mark my word, lad, the King will shortly have need for such courageous gallants as thou. Unless I mistake thy spirit, we shall soon see thee riding among the foremost when we chase these dogs of Roundheads into the King’s kennels and slit their noses and prick their ears as a warning to all of weak mind and base spirit.”

“I have a taste for such sport, and God knows I am the King’s man.”

“Good, say I!” Sir John’s clear eyes searched the frank eyes of the lad, and the old man was pleased with what he found. ‘‘Come, the cook shall fill thy belly