It was the delay that ruined us.

With the best will in the world, there are few who can afford to keep their retainers in the field for month after month; and the men, themselves, are longing to be back to their farms and families.
"We shall have to keep a keen lookout, through the winter.
Fortunately our harvest here is a good one, and the granaries are all full; so that we shall be able to keep the men-at-arms on through the winter, without much expense.

I feel more anxious about the tenants than about ourselves." "Yes, mother, there is no doubt there is considerable risk of the enemy trying to beat us up; and we must arrange for signals, so that our people may have time to fall back here.

Philip and I will think it over.

We ought to be able to contrive some scheme between us." "Do so, Francois.