'Whatever accommodation lie can have, which infers not a risk of discovery,' said the sub-prior, 'it is our duty to afford him.'
'Nay,' said the abbot, 'we will do more, and will instantly dispatch a servant express to the keeper of our revestiary to send us such things as he may want, even this night. See it done, good father.'
'I will,' answered Father Eustace; 'but I hear the gull clamorous for some one to truss his points.[1] He will be fortunate if he lights on any one here who can do him the office of groom of the chamber.'
'I would he would appear,' said the abbot, 'for here comes the refectioner with the collation. By my faith, the ride hath given me a sharp appetite!'
Chapter XVII
I'll seek for other aid—Spirits, they say.
Flit round invisible, as thick as motes
Dance in the sunbeam. If that spell
Or necromancer's sigil can compel them,
They shall hold council with me.
James Duff.
The reader's attention must be recalled to Halbert Glendinning, who had left the Tower of Glendearg immediately after his quarrel with its new guest, Sir Piercie Shafton. As he walked with a rapid pace up the glen, Old Martin followed him, beseeching him to be less hasty.
'Halbert,' said the old man, 'you will never live to have white hair, if you take fire thus at every spark of provocation.'
'And why should I wish it, old man,' said Halbert, 'if I am to be the butt that every fool may aim a shaft of scorn against? What avails it, old man, that you yourself move, sleep, and wake, eat thy niggard meal, and repose on thy hard pallet? Why art thou so well pleased that the morning
- ↑ The points were the strings of cord or ribbon (so called, because pointed with metal like the laces of women's stays) which attached the doublet to the hose. They were very numerous, and required assistance to tie them properly, which was called trussing.
