Fortunately he had a good sum of money that his father had given him the day before, and so he went to his sister's room first, and then to the stable to tell his servant to have the horses ready in a few minutes, as he intended to ride to the town of Woodstock.
He made no secret of this intention, and, meeting his mother, he told her of it, and bade her good-bye with all the affectionate deference she would permit.
As he rode through the park he looked back at his sister's window, and waved his hand to her in token of farewell, and then bade his servant ride on with all speed possible, as he hoped to reach Oxford by nightfall.
"Oxford?" queried the servant in a tone of amazement.
"Aye; did'st ever hear of mad Sir Philip Warren and his cage?" said Miles.
"Aye, I have, master," said the young fellow, with a shudder.
"Well, Oxford must save me from that fate. My father will have it that I am mad over some matters in which we cannot agree, and so I must leave home until his anger cools or his purpose changes, for I know not but they might drive me mad, and then put me in such a cage."
"And is that the business Diccon the blacksmith was to see about in such haste, Master Miles?"
"Then my father hath seen Diccon?" said the lad.
"Aye, he went to the forge while the monk was at the Hall," said the servant, and then both of them urged their horses into a canter, fur they must push on with all speed possible that the shelter of the college might be reached with as little delay as possible.