There all was ready for
the king, even to a fire on the hearth in the middle of the great
hall, which was fully as large as that at Glastonbury itself. I had
not seen this house of late, and now the king would have me go all
over it and tell him what I thought thereof.
Indeed, there was nought to say of it but good, for it would be
hard to find one better planned in all Wessex, as I think, whether
in the house itself, or about the buildings that were set along its
walls without for the thralls and workshops, or in the stables and
other outhouses. It was indeed such a house as any thane would be
proud to hold as his home.
Presently, therefore, after seeing all, the king and queen and I
stood by the hearth in the hall again, and Ina asked me my thoughts
of it. And I told him even as I have written, that all was well
done and completely.
"Why, then," he said, "let me come and stay here now and then."
I laughed at that.
"I have heard, my King, of house-carles who led their masters, but
that is not our way. Where the king goes the household follows, in
Wessex."
He laughed also, for a moment.
"Long may it be so," he said. "Nevertheless, I think that I shall
have to be as a guest here now and then."
Then Ethelburga smiled at my puzzled face, and spoke in her turn.
"Why, Oswald, it seems to me that you are the only man in all
Wessex who does not know who is to live here.
Pages:
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403