I will do my best to move their hearts, and if they will but agree together to take the cross, they would make a goodly band of footmen to accompany the earl." "Is the earl going ?" Cuthbert asked eagerly.
"I know not for certain," said Father Francis; "but I think from what I hear from his chaplain, Father Eustace, that his mind turns in that direction." "Then, Father, if he goes, I will go too," Cuthbert exclaimed.

"He promised to take me as his page the first time he went to war." Father Francis shook his head.
"I fear me, Cuthbert, this is far from the spirit in which we awhile ago agreed that men should go to the holy war." Cuthbert hung his head a little.
"Ay, Father Francis, men; but I am a boy," he said, "and after all, boys are fond of adventure for adventure's sake.

However, Father," he said, with a smile, "no doubt your eloquence on the green will turn me mightily to the project, for you must allow that the story you have told me this morning is not such as to create any very strong yearning in one's mind to follow the millions of men who have perished in the Holy Land." "Go to," said Father Francis, smiling, "thou art a pert varlet.

I will do my best on Sunday to turn you to a better frame of mind.".