How was it ?" "Really, that you had better ask some one else," I said, keeping a grave face.

"I think that it would have been fairer to me to have done so first.

But if there was any real blame to me, do you think that the ealdorman would have been glad to see me just now?
I think that it was plain that he was so." "I am an owl," Erpwald said.

"Of course, he would not have been.
But did you come to see the ealdorman, or the lady ?" "Why, both of them, of course.

I have known them for years." He looked relieved when he heard that, and I thought that he must be badly smitten already.
"Well, I will go and ask the ealdorman all about it," he said.
"Where shall I find you in an hour's time ?" "In my quarters," I answered; "but, of course, if you want to fight me you will have to send a friend to talk to me." "I will send the ealdorman himself." "Best not, for he is the man who is charged with the stopping of these affairs if he hears of them.