"And where's Mistress Barbara?
Don't say she's ill." Then Philip told him the story, omitting all reference to the refugee, whose existence was a secret to the other boys, from the arrival of the Captain to his departure, ending: "And at this very moment, Matt, there are three Roundhead soldiers on guard in the Hall--two at the doors, and one standing--can you believe it ?--standing at my sister's door.

I've fought him once," Philip continued, "but he's too strong, and now the others are keeping us out of the house, and we've charged them several times, but without doing any good, and there are a thousand reasons why we shouldn't any of us be hurt." "But where are the grooms and gardeners ?" Matthew asked.
"Oh, they all disappeared," said Philip.

"I suppose they feared an inquiry might be dangerous.

It's bad for the health and reputation to fight a Roundhead." Matthew laughed grimly.

"It's bad for the Roundhead's health if he runs against this," he said, raising the iron bar.
At this moment Jack interrupted.