Men of Iron by Howard Pyle (best inspirational books .txt) π
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- Author: Howard Pyle
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βDost thou know who I am?β said a stern, harsh voice.
Instantly Myles ceased struggling, and his arms fell at his side. βAye,β he said, in a gasping voice, βI know thee.β He swallowed spasmodically for a moment or two, and then, in the sudden revulsion of feeling, burst out sobbing convulsively.
Sir James marched the two off to his office, he himself walking between them, holding an arm of each, the other lads following behind, awe-struck and silent. Entering the office, Sir James shut the door behind him, leaving the group of squires clustered outside about the stone steps, speculating in whispers as to what would be the outcome of the matter.
After Sir James had seated himself, the two standing facing him, he regarded them for a while in silence. βHow now, Walter Blunt,β said he at last, βwhat is to do?β
βWhy, this,β said Blunt, wiping his bleeding lip. βThat fellow, Myles Falworth, hath been breeding mutiny and revolt ever sin he came hither among us, and because he was thus mutinous I would punish him therefor.β
βIn that thou liest!β burst out Myles. βNever have I been mutinous in my life.β
βBe silent, sir,β said Sir James, sternly. βI will hear thee anon.β
βNay,β said Myles, with his lips twitching and writhing, βI will not be silent. I am friendless here, and ye are all against me, but I will not be silent, and brook to have lies spoken of me.β
Even Blunt stood aghast at Myles's boldness. Never had he heard any one so speak to Sir James before. He did not dare for the moment even to look up. Second after second of dead stillness passed, while Sir James sat looking at Myles with a stern, terrifying calmness that chilled him in spite of the heat of his passion.
βSir,β said the old man at last, in a hard, quiet voice, βthou dost know naught of rules and laws of such a place as this. Nevertheless, it is time for thee to learn them. So I will tell thee now that if thou openest thy lips to say only one single word more except at my bidding, I will send thee to the black vault of the donjon to cool thy hot spirits on bread and water for a week.β There was something in the measured quietness of the old knight's tone that quelled Myles utterly and entirely. A little space of silence followed. βNow, then, Blunt,β said Sir James, turning to the bachelor, βtell me all the ins and outs of this business without any more underdealing.β
This time Blunt's story, though naturally prejudiced in his own favor, was fairly true. Then Myles told his side of the case, the old knight listening attentively.
βWhy, how now, Blunt,β said Sir James, when Myles had ended, βI myself gave the lads leave to go to the river to bathe. Wherefore shouldst thou forbid one of them?β
βI did it but to punish this fellow for his mutiny,β said the bachelor. βMethought we at their head were to have oversight concerning them.β
βSo ye are,β said the knight; βbut only to a degree. Ere ye take it upon ye to gainsay any of my orders or permits, come ye first to me. Dost thou understand?β
βAye,β answered Blunt, sullenly.
βSo be it, and now get thee gone,β said the knight; βand let me hear no more of beating out brains with wooden clogs. An ye fight your battles, let there not be murder in them. This is twice that the like hath happed; gin I hear more of such doingsββ He did utter his threat, but stopped short, and fixed his one eye sternly upon the head squire. βNow shake hands, and be ye friends,β said he, abruptly.
Blunt made a motion to obey, but Myles put his hand behind him.
βNay, I shake not hands with any one who struck me while I was down.β
βSo be it,β said the knight, grimly. βNow thou mayst go, Blunt. Thou, Falworth, stay; I would bespeak thee further.β
βTell me,β said he, when the elder lad had left them, βwhy wilt thou not serve these bachelors as the other squires do? Such is the custom here. Why wilt thou not obey it?β
βBecause,β said Myles, βI cannot stomach it, and they shall not make me serve them. An thou bid me do it, sir, I will do it; but not at their command.β
βNay,β said the knight, βI do not bid thee do them service. That lieth with thee, to render or not, as thou seest fit. But how canst thou hope to fight single-handed against the commands of a dozen lads all older and mightier than thou?β
βI know not,β said Myles; βbut were they an hundred, instead of thirteen, they should not make me serve them.β
βThou art a fool!β said the old knight, smiling faintly, βfor that be'st not courage, but folly. When one setteth about righting a wrong, one driveth not full head against it, for in so doing one getteth naught but hard knocks. Nay, go deftly about it, and then, when the time is ripe, strike the blow. Now our beloved King Henry, when he was the Earl of Derby, what could he have gained had he stood so against the old King Richard, brooking the King face to face? I tell thee he would have been knocked on the head as thou wert like to have been this day. Now were I thee, and had to fight a fight against odds, I would first get me friends behind me, and thenββ He stopped short, but Myles understood him well enough.
βSir,β said he, with a gulp, βI do thank thee for thy friendship, and ask thy pardon for doing as I did anon.β
βI grant thee pardon,β said the knight, βbut tell thee plainly, an thou dost face me so again, I will truly send thee to the black cell for a week. Now get thee away.β
All the other lads were gone when Myles came forth, save only the faithful Gascoyne, who sacrificed his bath that day to stay with his friend; and perhaps that little act of self-denial moved Myles more than many a great thing might have done.
βIt was right kind of thee, Francis,β said he, laying his hand affectionately on his friend's shoulder. βI know not why thou lovest me so.β
βWhy, for one thing, this matter,β answered his friend; βbecause methinks thou art the best fighter and the bravest one of all of us squires.β
Myles laughed. Nevertheless Gascoyne's words were a soothing balm for much that had happened that day. βI will fight me no more just now,β said he; and then he told his friend all that Sir James had advised about biding his time.
Gascoyne blew a long whistle. βBeshrew me!β quoth he, βbut methinks old Bruin is on thy side of the quarrel, Myles. An that be so, I am with thee also, and others that I can name as well.β
βSo be it,β said Myles. βThen am I content to abide the time when we may
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