It is the way in which they treat folk at these places.

They would do the same if the queen came.

She has gone to her Superior." "What would Emma say ?" chuckled Relf, looking slyly at me.
"One cannot say much to an iron-barred oak door." "But there are thanes and such-like left outside," he said, laughing more yet.

"Now Godwine is not here, I dare say that you have felt, more than once, the queen's tongue for nought." "I will deny it," said I, "to anyone but Elfric the abbot," whereat he laughed till the tears came into his eyes.

He had known our queen in the old days before Streone's treachery.
I was glad that the wicket flew open again.