"They have been terribly upset," John went on, as his wife left the
room. "They were only told of the loss of their mother after they
arrived, yesterday. Oswald thought that they would need all their
strength for the journey, and that it were better that Mary should
break the news to them, when they got here. We have all felt for you
sorely, Adam, since your messenger brought the news."
Armstrong pressed his hand, silently.
"She was a good wife to me, John, a right good wife. We buried what
seemed to be her remains, yesterday morning. It was that, that kept me
from starting the moment the man came in with the news that Oswald had
got the girls out of the hands of the Bairds."
"And how is Allan?"
"I trust he will get right, now. He has come partly to his senses,
though he is still dazed. We had him carried, in a litter, to the
monastery where I obtained the monk's robe for your man; for I feared
to leave him in the village, lest the Bairds, furious at the escape of
the girls, might return to finish their work."
He was about to speak to Oswald, when the door opened, and the girls
ran in, and it was some time before Adam Armstrong again turned to him.
"Now, lad," he said, "do not think, because I am a long time coming to
the point, that I think lightly of the service you have rendered me.
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