The old man laughed as he listened, and seemed satisfied; then, turning away, he linked his arm through Philip's, and said, "You must pardon him, my lad, that he spoke in your presence a tongue unfamiliar to you.

No offense was meant.

He is of my creed, but fears to make it known, lest he should lose all employment--which is likely enough, seeing that so many of the people are fanatics.

Moreover, he is bound to me by an oath,--which in olden days would have made him my serf,--but which leaves him free enough just now,--with one exception." "And that exception ?" asked Errington with some interest.
"Is, that should I ever demand a certain service at his hands, he dare not refuse it.

Odd, isn't it?
or so it seems to you," and Gueldmar pressed the young man's arm lightly and kindly; "but our Norse oaths, are taken with great solemnity, and are as binding as the obligation of death itself.