\"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。