Herbert received him with a glad smile of welcome.
"Ah, Harry," he said, "so you have fairly taken to man's estate.

Of course, I think you have done wrong; but we need not argue on that now.
I am glad indeed to see you.

Lucy," he said, "let supper be served at once." It was a pleasant meal, and the old friends chatted of their schooldays and boyish pastimes, no allusion being made to the events of the day, save that Herbert said, "I suppose that you know that my father is now a captain in the force of the Commons, and that I am doing my best to keep his business going during his absence." "I had heard as much," Harry answered.

"It is a heavy weight to be placed on your shoulders, Herbert." "Yes," he said, "I am growing learned in wools, and happily the business is not falling off in my hands." It was characteristic of the civil war in England that during the whole time of its existence the affairs of the country went on as usual.
Business was conducted, life and property were safe, and the laws were enforced just as before.

The judges went their circuits undisturbed by the turmoil of the times, acting under the authority alike of the Great Seals of the King and Parliament.