midday
I see the men have been posted in the wall turrets . One of them shall relieve you , shortly . '' As soon as the wounds were dressed , bowls of porridge were served round ; then one of the men who had remained at home was posted at the lookout ; and , after the cattle had been seen to , all who had been on the road stretched themselves on some rushes at one end of the room , and were , in a few minutes , sound asleep . `` I wonder whether we shall ever have peace in the land , Oswald , '' his mother said with a sigh ; as , having seen that the women had all in readiness for the preparation of the midday meal , she sat down on a low stool , by his side . `` I do n't see how we ever can have , Mother , until either we conquer Scotland , or the Scotch shall be our masters . It is not our fault . They are ever raiding and plundering , and heed not the orders of Douglas , or the other Lords of the Marches . ''