You
hold yourself well, and you have something of your mother's softness of
speech; and will, I think, make a good impression on Sir Henry, when
suitably clad.
"You see, there are many sons of knights, of good repute and standing,
who would be glad, indeed, that their sons should obtain a post in
Hotspur's personal following; and who might grumble, were they passed
over in favour of one who, by his appearance, was of lower condition
than themselves.
"John Forster is well known, on the border, as a valiant fighter, and a
leading man in Coquetdale. It is known, too, that he might have been
knighted, had he chosen; and doubtless there are many who, having heard
that his hold is one of the strongest on the border, give him credit
for having far wider possessions than that bit of moor round the hold,
and grazing rights for miles beyond it. If, then, you make a brave
show, none will question the choice that Hotspur may make; but were you
to appear in that garb you have on, they might well deem that your
father is, after all, but a moss trooper.
"He told me that you had, once, a fancy to learn to read and write.
What put that idea into your head? I do not say that it was not a good
one, but at least it was a strange one, for a lad brought up as you
have been.
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