Think in especial how this righteous judgment
that has fallen on him and on his brother has cleared our way to the
Earldom."
The choleric younger brother leaped forward with an oath on his lips,
but his calmer senior kept him back with his hand.
"Silence, James!" he said; "I will answer our father. Sir, we have
heard what you say, but our minds are not changed. What cause to
associate yourself with traitors and mansworn you may have, we do not
know and we do not care."
At his son's first words James the Gross rose with a sudden surprising
access of dignity remarkable in one of his figure.
"I bid you remember," he said, speaking southland English, as he was
wont to do in moments of excitement, "I bid you remember, sirrah, that
I am the Earl of Douglas and Avondale, Justicer of Scotland--and your
father."
William Douglas bowed, respectful but unmoved.
"My lord," he said, "I forget nothing. I do not judge you. You are in
authority over our house. You shall do what you will with these forces
without there, so be you can convince them of your right.
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