They were silent in their presence, as a rule, unless spoken to first, and the habit of conversational intimacy did not grow up until a much later period in their lives.

Thus the adventures of Warbel, and his strange midnight visit to their bedchamber, had never been told to Sir Oliver or his wife.

All they knew was that the man had taken refuge from the anger of the Lord of Mortimer in one of their woodmen's huts.

They were glad to give him shelter and employment at Chad, and had never regretted the hospitality extended to him; for he had proved the most faithful of servants, and his devotion to the boys was so great that they could be trusted anywhere in his keeping.
As for the anger of his proud neighbour, Sir Oliver had made light of that.

The Lord of Mortimer could not make any thing out of so small a matter, and at that time had other more weighty affairs on hand.