His father is a stout
withstander of the Scots, and the earl would have given him knighthood,
if he would have taken it; and maybe, in the future, the son will win
that honour. He is too old for a page, and I should say too little
versed in our ways for such a post; but I promise you that, when he is
old enough, he shall be one of my esquires.'
"So you may soon have an opportunity of showing Hotspur what you are
made of. And now, I doubt not that you are hungry. I will send down to
the buttery, for a couple of tankards and a pasty. I had my supper two
hours ago, but I doubt not that I can keep you company in another."
He went to the window, and called out, "John Horn!"
The name was repeated below, and in two minutes a servant came up. The
captain gave him directions, and they shortly sat down to a substantial
meal.
"The first thing to do, lad, will be to get you garments more suitable
to the Percys' castle than those you have on; they are good enough to
put on under armour, or when you ride in a foray; but here, one who
would ride in the train of the Percys must make a brave show. It is
curfew, now; but tomorrow, early, we will sally into the town, where we
shall find a good choice of garments, for men of all conditions.
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