John Forster, before taking off his own armour, saw that their wounds were first attended to by his wife and her women.
"I think they will all do," he said, "and that they will live to strike another blow at the Bairds, yet.
"Now, Oswald, unbuckle my harness.

Your mother will bandage up my arm and head, and Elspeth shall bring up a full tankard from below, for each of us.

A draught of beer will do as much good as all the salves and medicaments.
"Do you take the first drink, Jock Samlen, and then go up to the watchtower.

I see the men have been posted in the wall turrets.

One of them shall relieve you, shortly." As soon as the wounds were dressed, bowls of porridge were served round; then one of the men who had remained at home was posted at the lookout; and, after the cattle had been seen to, all who had been on the road stretched themselves on some rushes at one end of the room, and were, in a few minutes, sound asleep.
"I wonder whether we shall ever have peace in the land, Oswald," his mother said with a sigh; as, having seen that the women had all in readiness for the preparation of the midday meal, she sat down on a low stool, by his side.
"I don't see how we ever can have, Mother, until either we conquer Scotland, or the Scotch shall be our masters.