It was a pleasant enough walk through the green forest paths before the heat of the day had come.

The three boys and Warbel headed the party, and were followed by some eight or ten men of various degree, some bent on a day's pleasure for themselves, others there with a view of attending upon their master's sons.
Bertram felt that he could have dispensed with any attendance save that of Warbel; but Sir Oliver had given his own orders.

With so powerful and jealous a neighbour within easy reach of the village, he felt bound to be careful of his children.

They were but striplings after all, and doubtless his unscrupulous neighbour would be delighted to hold one or more as a hostage should excuse arise for opening hostilities of any kind.

He knew well the unscrupulous character of the man with whom he had to deal, and he acted with prudence and foresight accordingly.
The little village when reached proved to be all en fete.