The Earl stopped, and Malise turned right about on his heel in great astonishment.
"What wants old marrowbones with our Laurie ?" he muttered; "surely he cannot have gotten into mischief with the lasses already.

But I kenna--I kenna.

When I was sixteen I can mind--I can mind.

And the loon may well be his father's own son." And Malise, the man of brawn, watched out of his quiet grey eyes the face of the Abbot William, wondering what was to come next.
Laurence stood forth at a word of command from the Earl.

He saluted, and then dropped the point of his sword meekly upon the ground.