I doubted your wisdom in taking him, but he has certainly proved a useful fellow." "I would petition, my lord, that you should continue him in your service; and that, should you employ me upon another mission, you will again allow me to take him with me.

He is a shrewd fellow, as well as a stout one, and I could wish for no better companion; though I own that, since he put on his gown again at Roxburgh, and rode hither, his spirits have greatly failed him." "I will arrange that with the abbot," Hotspur said; "but tell him that, while he is here, he must continue to wear his robe.

His face is too well known for him to pass as a man-at-arms, without being recognized by half the garrison.

The Lord Abbot would well object to one of his monks turning into a swaggering man-at-arms, at his very door.
"At any rate, I shall tell the abbot that, if he will consent quietly to the monk's unfrocking himself, until he can obtain for him release from his vows; I will scud him away to one of the other castles, whence I can fetch him, if you need him to accompany you on any errand, and where he can form part of the regular garrison.

But the knave must be informed that it were best that he say nought about his former profession, and that he comport himself as quietly as is in his nature.
"I will give him a small command, as soon as may be; for although a very bad monk, he has proved himself to be a good soldier." "I thank you greatly, my lord," Oswald said; "and will talk seriously to the monk, who will be delighted when he hears that the abbot will take steps to allow him to lay aside his gown." Roger was, indeed, delighted when he heard the news; and still more so when, three days later, Oswald informed him that Hotspur had obtained, from the abbot, what was practically a release from his vows.