ught, either for himself or his relations, Percy gave him a
favourable answer; and said that if, on his return, he would present
you to him, and he found that you were a lad of manners that would be
suitable for a member of his household, he would grant his request;
partly, too, because my father and myself had always been stanch men,
and ready at all times to join his banner, when summoned, and to fight
doughtily. So there seems a good chance of preferment for you.

"Your mother is willing that you should go. She says, and truly enough,
that if you stay here it will be but to engage, as I and my forebears
have done, in constant feuds with the Scots; harrying and being
harried, never knowing, when we lie down to rest, but that we may be
woke up by the battle shout of the Bairds; and leaving behind us, when
we die, no more than we took from our fathers.

"I know not how your own thoughts may run in the matter, Oswald, but
methinks that there is much in what she says; though, for myself, I
wish for nothing better than what I am accustomed to. Percy would have
knighted me had I wished it, years ago; but plain Jock Forster I was
born, and so will I die when my time comes; for it would alter my
condition in no way, save that as Jock Forster I can lead a raid across
the border, but as Sir John Forster it would be hardly seemly for me to
do so, save when there is open war between the countries.

"It is different, in your case; You are young, and can fit yourself to
another mode of life; and can win for yourself, with your sword, a
better fortune than you will inherit from me. Besides, lad, I am like
enough, unless a Baird spear finishes me sooner, to live another thirty
years yet; and it is always sure to lead to trouble, if there are two
cocks in one farmyard. You would have your notions as to how matters
should be done, and I should have mine; and so, for many reasons, it is
right that you should go out into the world. If matters go well with
you, all the better; if not, you will always be welcome back here, and
will be master when I am gone.

"What say you?"

"It comes suddenly upon me, Father; but, as I have always thought that
I should like to see something of the world beyond our own dales, I
would gladly, for a time at least, accept my uncle's offer; which is a
rare one, and far beyond my hopes. I should be sorry to leave you and
my mother but, save for that it seems to me, as to you, that it would
be best for me t