It would be a graceful attention on the part of the mistress of Chad to visit her and learn of her welfare, and it was known that the queen had considerable influence with the king, and he might well give more favourable notice to Sir Oliver's plea were his wife to urge it upon him in response to what the lady might tell to her of their recent troubles with their haughty neighbour.
So that there was even more stir and excitement than usually attended an early morning's start.

The sun was not yet up, and the gray dimness of the coming summer's day enshrouded the great courtyard as Bertram and Julian descended to it with a slim figure between them clad in a riding dress similar to their own, the slouched hat drawn over the face, which face was well wrapped and muffled in white linen, as Edred's had been the previous day.
The lady of the house came out with a look of preoccupation upon her face.

She noted that the boys were already in the saddle, and smiled.
"Always in such haste," she said, as her own palfrey was led up.
"But, Edred my son, why didst thou not come to me to have thy hurts looked to this morn?
I was expecting thee." "Sweet mother, I bound them for him today!" cried Julian eagerly.
"Methought I must learn to be his leech since thou wast going with our father, and we knew that thou wouldst have much to do and to think of.

Methinks I have not done amiss.

It scarce looks as neat as though thy skilful fingers had had the care of it; but he says it feels not amiss, and that is a great thing." "Ay, verily; and I am glad thou hast skill enough for his needs.
"Be cautious, Edred my son, that the cold gets not to the hurts.
Draw up the collar of thy mantle well over that left cheek of thine, and do not talk whilst the air bites so keenly.