After a moment, the young noble began to laugh. "Why, to tell it frankly,
methinks it is more temper than distemper. That they should take it upon them
to decide how much of my order is necessary--" He let a pause finish for him,
and suddenly he turned with a flourish of gay defiance: "I will tell you how I
am going to spend my morning, Morcard. I am going to ride over every acre that
is under my hand and see how much I can spare for loan-land. And when I have
found out, I will rent every furlong to boors who shall be bound to pay me
service, not when it best pleases them, but whensoever I stand in need of it."
Rubbing his chin, the monk heard him in silence; but the old warrior grew
momentarily grave. "Take care that you seem not over proud, young lord. It is
in such a mood that Edmund creates thanes."
It may be that the Etheling's eyes widened for an instant, but directly after
he laughed with gay perverseness. "Is it?" he said. "Then, for the first time
in six weeks, I see that the Ironside is cunning in thought."
Shaking his head, Father Ingulph moved down the step. "Nay, if you are in that
humor, my son, I waste no breath. Speed you well, and may you wax in wisdom!"
With a gesture, half paternal, half respectful, he betook himself across the
grass to the gate.
Old Morcard turned and stepped up into the doorway, from which he looked down
indulgently upon his laughing master.
Pages:
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141