He will have other teachers in king-craft besides ourselves." "Why, you speak as if you thought there would be danger to our realm from Ethelbert in the days to come ?" "So long as there is a young king there, who can tell ?" Then says Offa, "I am strong enough to take care of that.

Moreover, he will be our son-in-law.

I wit well that not so much as a mouse will stir in his court but you will know it;" and he laughs.
At that she says plainly in a low voice: "You have East Anglia in your hands.

If Ethelbert did not return thither, it is yours." Whereon Offa rises, and his face grows red with wrath.
"Hold your peace!" he says.

"What is this which you are hinting?
Far from me be the thought of the death of Ethelbert, in whatever way it may come." And so, maybe knowing only too well what lies behind the words of the queen, he goes his way, wrathful for the moment.