So far, no such opportunity had occurred. It had been a disappointment
to him that Henry, in his last invasion, had kept along the eastern
coast; and he hoped that the war, which assuredly would, ere long,
break out violently, would give him the chance he longed for; and he
might be sent by his uncle to Douglas, with offers of service, or might
even go north, and have an interview with Albany.
Once fairly away from Liddesdale, he was resolved that it would be a
long time, indeed, before he returned. He was now some thirty years of
age, with a hard, keen face.
"Well, brother," he said, "it is not often that any of your order
sojourn here. I am glad to have one with whom I can converse, of other
matters than arms and armour, forays and wars."
"These matters are, indeed, too much in men's mouths," Roger said;
"though I own that I, myself, in some degree am interested in them;
for, had I had the choice of a vocation, I would rather have been a
man-at-arms than a monk."
"I wonder not at that," the other said, "seeing that nature has been
bountiful to you, in the matter of height and strength; and I doubt not
that you could, in case of need, use that staff you carry with good
effect.
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