Ratcliffe watched the scene with the composure of a vigilant but uninterested spectator.
Mareschal alone, true to the thoughtless vivacity of his character, ate and drank, laughed and jested, and seemed even to find amusement in the embarrassment of the company.
"What has damped our noble courage this morning ?" he exclaimed.

"We seem to be met at a funeral, where the chief mourners must not speak above their breath, while the mutes and the saulies (looking to the lower end of the table) are carousing below.

Ellieslaw, when will you LIFT?
[To LIFT, meaning to lift the coffin, is the common expression for commencing a funeral.] where sleeps your spirit, man?
and what has quelled the high hope of the Knight of Langley-dale ?" "You speak like a madman," said Ellieslaw; "do you not see how many are absent ?" "And what of that ?" said Mareschal.

"Did you not know before, that one-half of the world are better talkers than doers?
For my part, I am much encouraged by seeing at least two-thirds of our friends true to the rendezvous, though I suspect one-half of these came to secure the dinner in case of the worst." "There is no news from the coast which can amount to certainty of the King's arrival," said another of the company, in that tone of subdued and tremulous whisper which implies a failure of resolution.
"Not a line from the Earl of D--, nor a single gentleman from the southern side of the Border," said a third.
"Who is he that wishes for more men from England," exclaimed Mareschal, in a theatrical tone of affected heroism, "My cousin Ellieslaw?
No, my fair cousin, If we are doom'd to die--" "For God's sake," said Ellieslaw, "spare us your folly at present, Mareschal." "Well, then," said his kinsman, "I'll bestow my wisdom upon you instead, such as it is.

If we have gone forward like fools, do not let us go back like cowards.