At the moment, it is likely that the young noble would have preferred arrest.
The utter scorn of word and act lashed the blood to his cheeks and the tears
to his eyes. With boyish passion, he snatched the sword from its sheath, and
breaking it in pieces across his knee, flung the fragments clinking into the
dead embers.
But if he had hoped to provoke an answer, it was in vain; the King deigned him
no further notice. Resuming his seat, Edmund continued to talk quietly with
the Earl, a half-smile playing about his complacent chin.
The old cniht bent forward and whispered in his chief's ear: "Make haste, Lord
Sebert; they will be cheering in a moment, the churls; so pleased are they at
the thought of going home. Hasten with your retiring."
It was a clever appeal. Forgetting, for the moment, humiliation in
responsibility, the young leader whirled to his men. A gesture, a muttered
order, and they were drawing back among the trees in silent retreat. A few
steps more, and the bushes had blotted out the Ironside and his thanes.
Chapter XI
When My Lord Comes Home From War
One's own house is best,
Small though it be;
At home is every one his own master.
Bleeding at heart is he
Who has to ask
For food at every mealtide.
Ha'vama'l.
Slowly the bleak light warmed into golden radiance and the touch of dawn
strung the scattered bird-notes into a chain of joyous song.
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