"And which way, think you, that the present earl's leanings would go?"

"I think not about it, one way or the other. My business is to sell
food and liquor, the earl's to take part in affairs of state. In days
like these, it is quite enough for each man to attend to his own
business, without troubling about that of other people; more especially
when that other is a powerful noble, who thinks little enough of
slitting a tongue that wags too freely.

"No, no, lad; John Sanderson is no fool, and knows better than to open
his mouth, touching the affairs of great nobles. I know not how it may
be with you, and the burghers of Edinburgh, but here we are content to
cool our own porridge, and let others take their food hot or cold, as
they choose."

"I was not wishing you to give me so much your own ideas, as the common
talk of the town; but I see that my question was indiscreet, and I ask
your pardon."

"I know you meant no harm, lad, and that your question was just one
that any young man of your age might ask, without thinking that there
was harm in it, or that the answering of it might lead to harm. I can
tell you that, whatever folk may think here in Dunbar, they say naught
about it to their nearest neighbour. We can talk of war with England,
that is too common a thing for there to be harm in it; and as no one
knows aught, one man's opinion is as good as another's; but the talk is
general, and assuredly no man asks his neighbour what this great lord
will do, or how matters will go. There is no harm in two gossips
wondering whether, if the English come, the town will hold out till
help comes, or whether they will batter down the walls first.

"It is a kind of riddle, you see, and all the more that no one knows
who may be by the king's side, when the storm breaks. A generation
back, men might make a fair guess; but now it were beyond the wisest
head to say and, for my part, I leave the thinking to those whom it
concerns. You from Edinburgh ought to know more than we do, for in
great cities men can talk more freely, seeing that no one lord has the
place in his hands, and that the citizens have rights, and hold to
them.

"The general thought is that we shall have war, directly the truce is
over. Among us who live by peaceful trade, we still hope for peace; for
we see not what good comes of war, save to those who make raids in
England, and as often as not these get more hard knocks than plunder;
but to the quiet trader