It is there they are generally to be found in the early hours of the day." "They be fine, gamesome lads," said the old woman fondly--"chips of the old block, true Chads every one of them;" for the custom with the common people was to call the lord of the manor by the name of his house rather than by his own patronymic, and Sir Oliver was commonly spoken of as "Chad" by his retainers; a custom which lingered long in the south and west of the country.
"They are well-grown, hearty boys," answered the mother quietly, though there was a light of tender pride in her eyes.

"Bertram is almost a man in looks, though he is scarce seventeen yet.
Seventeen! How time flies! It seems but yesterday since he was a little boy standing at my knee to say his light tasks, and walking to and fro holding his father's hand.

Well, Heaven be praised, the years have been peaceful and prosperous, else would not they have fled by so swiftly." "Heaven be praised indeed!" echoed the old woman.

"For now the master is so safely seated at Chad that he would be a bold man who tried to oust him.

But in days gone by I have sorely feared yon proud Lord of Mortimer.