or once, and that I must be heedful if
ever I sat in his place, and so bid me go and find my friends--and get
ready to ride to Salisbury, where the king lay, having moved from
Winchester nearer to us.

That went I to do with a light heart, and only sorry that I might not
see Alswythe before I went.

And this I told Wislac, who looked oddly at me, and then laughed, saying
that he believed I feared an old nun more than a wild berserk. And true
it was that I was afraid of that stately abbess, though not in the same
way as one fears a raging madman flying on one.

"Pluck up courage," said he, "and go and ask the old dame to let you
have speech with your lady; and if she grants it not, I am mistaken, for
the lady is not one of her nuns, and there is a guest chamber for such
folk as bishop's right-hand men, surely!"

That was good counsel, and so I went to the nunnery, trembling first
because I was afraid, and next lest I might not see Alswythe.

Now that wondrous silver mail of mine was too easily known, and so soon
as I got out into the street, the beggar men began to shout and crawl
towards me. And then others looked, and ran, and then more, till there
was a crowd of men of the levy pressing round me, stretching hands to
pat me and the like.

Then one stood in front of me, hands on hips, and stared at me, and all
at once he shouted: "Ho, comrades, this is the saint of Cannington hill!
I saw him there, and soundly did he rate me for running, even as I
deserved."

And at that there was a mighty shouting and crowding, so that I could in
no wise go on my way, and I began to wax wroth.

My back was to the abbey gates, which were closed after me by the
porter, and just then I saw some of the men look up over my head and
point, and laugh; so I turned round, and there were Eanulf and Osric on
the gateway battlements, looking on, as drawn thither by the noise. And
just then Eanulf, laughing, made some sign or speech which I could not
hear, to the men, who cheered; and soon they brought a great shield and
on that set me, in spite of myself, raising me up shoulder high and
saluting me as the man who had gained all the honour and victory. There
must I lie still, lest I should fall and be made to look more foolish
yet, and when I sat up, crosslegged thereon, they stopped shouting and
stared at me.

"Let me down, ye pigs!" said I, very cross, and unmindful of the honour
they would do me.

"Speak to us, Thane; speak to us,"