The Herd Boy and His Hermit

, simplest

re all to me

at is yo

up her bright dark eyes, and smiling in the curly rings of

said, half smiling,

hat's n

it like y

ith a little st

you see, or Sheph

I can see. Come, an you love me, tell me true! I told you true w

Harry. I would trust you, veril

pping her hands, but at the moment

roof that sheltered thee, guess not, yea, and utter not a word save that thou hast lain in a shepherd'

was in haste to be off, lest a search for the lost child might extend to his abode, and hi

se if you are to be at Greystone ere night! Thou H

e tone of resolution. 'I will only go within

uthority, and Hob Hogward muttere

ving the cows, sheep, and goats before them-not a very considerable number-till they ca

e of a hill, partly clothed with heather, holly and birch trees, as it rose above the moss. Hob led the pony, and there was something in his grim air and manner that hindered any conversation between the two young people. Only Hal from time to time gathered a flower for th

id Anne, with more meaning than perhaps Hal

will have its

folly! What has a herd boy like thee to do with roses and frippery? Come

silence, except that now and then Hob launched at Hal an order that he endeavoured to render savage

will be doing ill if he can. Heed him not,

ittle teasing of the grim escort; 'that's scarce

it produced a rough imprecation on the

gainst the sky, on the top of yet another height, were to be seen moving figures, not cattle, but Anne recognised th

ng round upon Hal. 'I'll not have thee linger

n very little alarm at his threat, smiled up in the young lady's face, and as she held out her hand

claimed Hob in considerable anger, bringing down his stick. 'Away with thee, ill-bred

d sped away down the side of the hill, among the hollies and

he is a stripling that I took up off the roadside out of mere charity, and for the

unable to resist teasing him a little,

f these orphans, after all the bad luck to

ly, as she saw her surly guide start. But

less and fatherless children, stray lambs, to be met with, weeping their little

of these?' as

g folk, women and children in deadly fear of the cruel, bloody-minded York fo

y would think nothing of hauling thee off for a black traitor,

e vouchsafe another word for the rest of the way before they came through the valley, and through the low brush

r Lady Anne! Great have been the Mother Prioress's fears for you, and she has called up half the countr

h hawk and heron!' responded Anne. 'T

e her from the pony. He would have lifted her down, but she only touched his hand lightly and sprang to the grou

o mount you behind Archie. His

convent. He had leapt down, and was putting on a belt, and arranging a pad f

ar more. Master Bertram, the loan of your purse

oor Border squire carries about largesse in gold and silver? Let your clown come with us to Greystone, and thence

'Come with us to the convent,

sted, and muttered something about a cow that needed his attention, and that he cou

sp from her neck, and giving it to him. 'Bear it to

jewels are not for greasy porridge-fed housewives. Hark thee, have it ready for me! I

in her gay tone was beginning to defend him by declaring that porridge and grease d

t one of these herds, and a sheep is tainted whenever he wants a good supper. Bes

ed me well,' said Anne. 'I should b

with the stench of their hovel,

milk, meat, and oaten p

orous Lancastrian folk lurking about the mountains and fells? That rogue had the bearing of a man-at-arms, far

nswer, which he did with something of a snarl, as Bertram laughed somewhat jeeringly, and declared that the Lady Anne had become soft-hearted. She looked down at her rose

llows lurking about here and there, but bad blood

for whose head the king and his brothers w

on you, Master Bertram Selby, if you would take a price fo

I verily believe thou knowst of some lurking-place, thou art so prompt to argue! Did I not see another with thee, who m

ered Anne, as composedly as she could

rey walls of the Priory of Greystone rose before her, and the lay Si