On entering the gates of Erstwood, Cuthbert had rushed hastily to the room where his mother was sitting with three or four of her maidens, engaged in work.
"I want to speak to you at once, mother," he said.
"What is it now, my son ?" said his mother, who was still young and very comely.

Waving her hand to the girls, they left her.
"Mother," he said, when they were alone, "I fear me that Sir Walter is about to make a great raid upon the outlaws.

Armed men have been coming in all the morning from the castles round, and if it be not against the Baron de Wortham that these preparations are intended, and methinks it is not, it must needs be against the landless men." "What would you do, Cuthbert ?" his mother asked anxiously.

"It will not do for you to be found meddling in these matters.

At present you stand well in the favour of the Earl, who loves you for the sake of his wife, to whom you are kin, and of your father, who did him good liegeman's service." "But, mother, I have many friends in the wood.