If others comport themselves ill, that is no reason why our servants should do the like.

I would never give a foe a handle against me by the ill behaviour of even a serving man.

Let them act never so surlily, I would that they were treated with all due courtesy." Bertram and Julian hardly entered into their mother's feelings on this point; but Edred looked up eagerly, and it was plain that he understood the feelings which prompted the words, for he said in a low voice: "Methinks thou art right, gentle mother; albeit I did sorely long to give the varlet a lesson to teach him better.

But perchance it was well I was not nigh enough.

Surely it must be nigh upon the hour for dinner.