He first showed him the chamber, in one of the turrets, that he was to occupy; and then took him down to the hall, where two other knights, four esquires, and two or three pages were assembled, in readiness for the supper.
Mortimer, with his wife and two daughters, presently came down and took his place at the head of the table; at which the others sat down, in order of their rank.

As a guest, Oswald was placed among the knights.
Before sitting down, Sir Edmund presented him to his wife and daughters.
"This is one of Sir Henry Percy's esquires," he said, "and can give you more news of Sir Percy's wife; of whom, beyond saying that she sends her greetings to you all, Hotspur tells us nothing." "Have you been long a member of Sir Henry Percy's household ?" "But a year, my lady." "Hotspur speaks of him in very high terms, and says that he has rendered him great services, and that he has the highest confidence in him." "To what family do you belong, sir ?" the dame asked.

"From my husband's sister, who was staying here some months since, I learned much of your northern families." "I am the son of John Forster of Yardhope, who has the reputation of being as hard a fighter as any on the border.

He is not a knight, though of fair estates; for, although Earl Percy offered him knighthood, for his services at the battle of Otterburn, he said that he preferred remaining plain John Forster, as his fathers had been before him.

My mother was a daughter of Sir Walter Gillespie, and my uncle is captain of the garrison of Alnwick; and it was for his goodwill towards him, and my father, that Sir Henry appointed me one of his esquires, thinking, moreover, that I might be more useful than some, because I know every foot of the border, having relations on the Scottish side of it." They now sat down to supper.