Page:Walter Scott - The Monastery (Henry Frowde, 1912).djvu/82

RV 14 (Rh) he kissed and put into his bosom. The Englishman was half diverted, half surprised, with the scene.

'What mean ye by throwing away Saint George's red cross?' said he to the elder boy, in a tone betwixt jest and earnest.

'Because Saint George is a southern saint,' said the child, sulkily.

'Good!' said Stawarth Bolton. 'And what did you mean by taking it out of the brook again, my little fellow?' he demanded of the younger.

'Because the priest says it is the common sign of salvation to all good Christians.'

'Why, good again!' said the honest soldier. 'I protest unto you, mistress, I envy you these boys. Are they both yours?'

Stawarth Bolton had reason to put the question, for Halbert Glendinning, the elder of the two, had hair as dark as the raven's plumage, black eyes, large, bold, and sparkling, that glittered under eyebrows of the same complexion; a skin deep embrowned, though it could not be termed swarthy, and an air of activity, frankness, and determination, far beyond his age. On the other hand, Edward, the younger brother, was light-haired, blue-eyed, and of fairer complexion, in countenance rather pale, and not exhibiting that rosy hue which colours the sanguine cheek of robust health. Yet the boy had nothing sickly or ill-conditioned in his look, but was, on the contrary, a fair and handsome child, with a smiling face, and mild yet cheerful eye.

The mother glanced a proud motherly glance, first at the one, and then at the other, ere she answered the Englishman, 'Surely, sir, they are both my children.'

'And by the same father, mistress?' said Stawarth; but, seeing a blush of displeasure arise on her brow, he instantly added, 'Nay, I mean no offence; I would have asked the same question at any of my gossips in merry Lincoln. Well, dame, you have two fair boys; I would I could borrow one, for Dame Bolton and I live childless in our old hall. Come, little fellows, which of you will go with me?'

The trembling mother, half-fearing as he spoke, drew the