Next moment Strangwayes was tying the bandage about Hugh’s arm again, while he talked briskly with Captain Gwyeth of the ill ride they had had from Tamworth, and the worse ride they were like to have back, to which the captain replied with a satisfied account of the good spoil of horses and arms they had made in compensation for those lost at the first overthrow of his troop. “So soon as the carts are laden, you are to quit the house, so Captain Turner bids,” Captain Gwyeth finished in an everyday tone. “We must be out of the village before sunset.” Then as Strangwayes, ending his surgery, jumped to his feet to aid Griffith in superintending the loading, the captain turned to Hugh: “I bade you stay rest at the church, but since you’ve taken your way and come hither you can do me service.” He dropped his voice a little, though they were screened well enough under the racket of the men who were carrying forth the captured arms: “Get you to the east wing of the house, where the family have withdrawn, and, if you can, procure access to Master Oldesworth. He denied it unto me. Tell him from me that it is for the sake of his daughter and his daughter’s son that I have saved his house from utter spoil to-day. And tell him that I will use Tom Oldesworth better than he deserves, and exert my influence to have him speedily exchanged. That’s all.” Hugh passed out through the confusion to the front of the house, where the carts were loading, and with a rather dubious foreboding crossed the terrace to the east wing. Within, the hall was cool and dark with long afternoon shadows; the din of the western quarter drifted hither only faintly, so his mind went back with a vaguely homesick feeling to the peaceful, humdrum days at Everscombe a year ago. It seemed like a bit of the old life to go to the door of the east parlor and knock and hear his grandfather’s voice bidding him enter. But once inside, Hugh knew a year had passed since last he faced Master Oldesworth there. Not only did a glance at his own buff coat and high boots, his sword and bandaged arm recall the change, but he could see his grandfather bent a little in his chair, and his head looked whiter even than it had looked two days before. The old man was sitting by the window, but at Hugh’s step he turned toward him with a cold, angry face that made the boy hesitate at first; then taking courage he repeated his father’s message respectfully. Master Oldesworth’s face relaxed a little at the word of Captain Oldesworth, and at that Hugh ventured to add in his own behalf: “And, aside from my father’s message, sir, I wished to come hither and thank you that you used me so kindly the other day.” “I would use you still better if your stiff-necked childishness did not prevent,” the old man answered sternly. “So you will yet refuse what I would offer and follow this man because he is your father?”