Page:The Children of the New Forest - 1847 - Marryat.djvu/93

 Edward then set to with a good appetite at the viands which had been placed before him, and had just finished a hearty meal when Patience Heatherstone again came in and said:

"Oswald Partridge is now coming home."

"I thank you, maiden," replied Edward. "May I ask a question of you? Where is the King now?"

"I have heard that he resides at Hurst Castle," replied the girl; "but" added she in a low tone, "all attempts to see him would be useless and only hurt him and those who made the attempt." Having said this, she left the room.  CHAPTER IX.

, having finished his meal, and had a good pull at the jug of ale, which was a liquor he had not tasted for a long while, rose from the table and went out of the back door and found there Oswald Partridge. He accosted him, stating the reason for his coming over to him, "I did not know that Jacob had a grandson: indeed I never knew that he had a son. Have you been living with him long?"

"More than a year," replied Edward, "before that, I was in the household at Arnwood."

"Then you are of the King's side, I presume?" replied Oswald.

"To death," replied Edward, "when the time comes."

"And I am also; that you may suppose, for never would I give a hound to any one that was not. But we had better go to the kennels. Dogs may hear, but they can't repeat."

"I little thought to have met any one but you here when I came," said Edward; "and I will now tell you all that passed between me and the new Intendant." Edward then related the conversation.

"You have been bold," said Oswald—"but perhaps it is all 