“And under the rule of a strong-willed grandmother, fromall I hear. I don’t know the lady,” said Hughthoughtfully, “except by reputation. I did know the man,though I’ve seen nothing of him since we got our wounded backfrom Lincoln. A good fighter and a decent soul, but dour, notalker. What’s the boy like?”

“Sharp venturesome… A very fetching imp, truth totell, but as often in trouble as out of it. Bright at his letters,but he’d rather be out at play. Paul will have the task oftelling him his father’s dead, and himself master of a manor.It may trouble Paul more than it does the boy. He hardly knows hissire. I suppose there’s no question about histenure?”

“None in the world! I’m all for letting well alone,and Ludel earned his immunity. It’s a good property, too, fatland, and much of it under the plough. Good grazing, water-meadowsand woodland, and it’s been well tended, seemingly, forit’s valued higher now than ten years since. But I must getto know the steward, and make sure he’ll do the boyright.”

“John of Longwood,” said Cadfael promptly.“He’s a good man and a good husbandman. We know himwell, we’ve had dealings with him, and always found himreasonable and fair. That land falls between the abbey holdings ofEyton-by-Severn on the one side, and Aston-under-Wrekin on theother, and John has always given our forester free access betweenthe two woodlands whenever needed, to save him time and labour. Webring wood out from our part of the Wrekin forest that way. Itsuits us both very well. Ludel’s part of Eyton forest bitesinto ours there, it would be folly to fall out. Ludel had lefteverything to John these last two years, you’ll have notrouble there.”

“The abbot tells me,” said Hugh, nodding