pine, came forward. He was not
dressed in armor, but Cedric knew at once that it was Sir Rollin Dubois.
The knight talked a few moments with Cedric's father and then turning to
Cedric he said "And you think you would like to become a knight, my boy?
Are you sure that you will not mind hard work and will remember always
to be true and pure, brave and unselfish?" Cedric's smile was so bright
that no answer was needed. The knight turned again to his father and
said, "Do you realize that it will take some ten years or more of
discipline and hard work on the part of your boy, before he can hope to
be promoted to a position of responsibility?" "Yes," said the father
quietly, "but I think he is willing to try it."

After a little talk it was decided that the boy should begin his
training then and there. So his father bade him good-bye and left.
Cedric was taken by an older boy up some stone stairs to a small room
whose ceiling, walls and floor were of stone. In the corner of the room
lay a pile of straw, over which had been thrown a sheep-skin. At one
side of the room was a small table. No other furniture was in the
apartment save a cedar chest which was doubtless intended to serve for
both chair and wardrobe. There was a narrow pointed window in one side
of the room through which the sunlight came. Cedric went up to the
window and looked out, but it was so high that he could see only the
blue sky and a soft white cloud. "Ah," thought Cedric to himself, "I can
at least see the stars at night and the sunlight each morning. Will they
not remind me always of the good God who watches over me?"

That night his supper consisted of some coarse barley bread and a bowl
of broth. Cedric, however, was used to simple food, and did not mind
this part of his discipline. As he lay down upon the pile of straw and
drew the sheep-skin over him, he thought of his nice warm bed at home,
but instantly came this other thought, "I must learn to be hardy and
strong if I am ever to do any great work in the world. So, I will not
mind such little discomforts as these."

Cedric soon found that he had not only to eat coarse food and sleep upon
a hard bed, but that he had to practice standing very straight, running
very swiftly, being able to manage a horse, to jump on and off while
the horse was in full gallop, to throw his spear with unerring accuracy,
and also that he must be prompt and ready to obey a call from Sir
Rollin, that he must not only lear