"Let him sleep, then, till he wakes, and he'll be right enough again." "I hope so; but he was very low and despondent last night. He feels the responsibility of his position so much." "Course he does, my lady. That's his breed. His father always did. Used to make as much fuss over one of us as went down or got a wound as if we'd been his own children. But you let him sleep, my lady; he'll be like a new man when he gets up. He's a wonder, my lady; that he is." "He was afraid that the men were disposed to smile at him because he is so young." "I should just like to ketch one on 'em a-doing it," growled Ben. "But it aren't true, my lady," he continued, excitedly. "They smiles when he comes up, o' course, but it's because he seems to do 'em good, and they can't help it, they're so pleased to see him. Why, if you'll believe me, my lady, from Sir Granby's corporal o' dragoons down to Isaiah Wiggens, as got nigh upon drowned being pulled across the moat last night, my lady--" "Oh, how horrible!" "Horrid? Not it, my lady--begging your pardon. Sarve him right! Great big hulking lubberly chap like that, and not able to swim!" "But is he ill this morning?" "Not he, my lady. He was so roasted in the guard-room after, that he got up at daylight and went into the moat again 's morning to begin to larn." "But tell me, what news?" "They're all padrolling us, my lady, same as they were last night. They got the oats from Farmer Raynes, and they think they're going to starve us by stopping everything else from coming in; but we can afford to laugh at 'em for about three months; and at the end of that time, if Sir Granby don't come and raise the siege, I've got an idee for trapping enough meat for the men." "Indeed!" "Yes, my lady," said Ben, with a grin. "Only to lower the drawbridge and hyste the portcullis, to let a whole court-yard-full ride in. Then drop the grating behind 'em, and they're trapped. After that we can make 'em lay down their arms, turn 'em out, and keep their horses. They'll do to feed the men. I've eaten horse, and Sir Granby too, at a pinch, and it aren't so bad; but o' course I'd rather have beef." "Then there is nothing to fear for the present?" "Aren't nothing to fear at all, past, present, or futur', my lady, so don't you be uncomfortable. And as for Master Roy, he needn't go thinking no nonsense o' that sort about the men, for they just worship him, all of 'em, and that's the honest truth." "I believe it, Martlet. Have you breakfasted this morning?" "Had a chunk o' bread and a mug o' milk, my lady." "That is not enough for a busy man like you are. Sit down to that table, and eat." "What, here, my lady! Oh, no, I couldn't presume!"