"Though I was faint for want of food, I was quicker on my feet than he."
The old man laughed until his brave curls shook.
"In faith, and it is said with moderation. And what now, lad? What hath brought thee hither?"
"Since Barwick hath left your service—"
"That he hath, that he hath!"
"It seemed there might be a place for a keeper."
"For a keeper? Ha, ha, ha! Nay, th' art too spirited a lad to waste away as keeper. Mark my word, lad, the King will shortly have need for such courageous gallants as thou. Unless I mistake thy spirit, we shall soon see thee riding among the foremost when we chase these dogs of Roundheads into the King's kennels and slit their noses and prick their ears as a warning to all of weak mind and base spirit."
"I have a taste for such sport, and God knows I am the King's man."
"Good, say I!" Sir John's clear eyes searched the frank eyes of the lad, and the old man was pleased with what he found. "Come, the cook shall fill thy belly and Cobden shall find thee a bed. Cobden! Cobden, I say!"
"Yea, Sir John."