" Having said
this, she left the room.
CHAPTER IX.
Edward, having finished his meal, and had a good pull at the jug of
ale, which was a liquor he had not tasted for a long while, rose from
the table and went out of the back door, and found there Oswald
Partridge. He accosted him, stating the reason for his coming over to
him. "I did not know that Jacob had a grandson: indeed I never knew
that he had a son. Have you been living with him long?"
"More than a year," replied Edward; "before that, I was in the
household at Arnwood."
"Then you are of the king's side, I presume?" replied Oswald.
"To death," replied Edward, "when the time comes."
"And I am also; that you may suppose, for never would I give a hound
to any one that was not. But we had better go to the kennels. Dogs may
hear, but they can't repeat."
"I little thought to have met any one but you here when I came," said
Edward; "and I will now tell you all that passed between me and the
new intendant." Edward then related the conversation.
"You have been bold," said Oswald; "but perhaps it is all the better.
I am to retain my situation, and so are two others; but there are many
new hands coming in as rangers. I know nothing of them, but that they
are little fitted for their places, and rail against the king all day
long, which, I suppose, is their chief merit in the eyes of those who
appoint them.
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