m a scarf to
bind that wound, Alswythe; so shall it seem an honour and not a scar."

So there was a little leave taking, but not much, though enough, and I
went from the nunnery with Alswythe's white and red and gold scarf over
my shoulder; gay enough to look at, but no gayer than the heart beneath it.

And there, waiting for me in the street, was my tail, armed and drawn up
in line of fours to see me back to the abbey. So I went there at the
head of them, with more shouting of people.

There was Wulfhere sitting on the doorsteps of the great door, having a
bag in his hand, and when I got up to him, he thrust it out to me,
saying "largess", and that I was glad enough to understand.

So I put my hand into the bag, and crying, "Here is withal to drink to
Somerset and Dorset shoulder to shoulder," scattered the silver pennies
among them, and so left them without any order among them at all, though
shoulder to shoulder certainly.

"Ho, master!" said Wulfhere, "you looked mighty angry when you were
carried aloft an hour ago."

"Aye," said I, "'tis pity a thane cannot walk abroad quietly on his own
business."

"Well, well, they thought that you were their business, doubtless."

"Whence came all those pennies?" I asked, for we had no store at all to
cast away.

"From Eanulf and Ealhstan," said Wulfhere, laughing. "They came to me,
and saying that they were sore jealous, and minded to have good cause
therefor, gave me this that you might carry off all well to the end."

And that was good of them, for else I know not how I should have left
the men without more speech making.

Just then came the ealdorman into the hall where we were, and laughing,
asked me if I meant to take all that following to Salisbury. But I only
wanted the standard guards who were left, and Aldhelm, as one who had
fought as such. This I had told Wulfhere before, so that I was not
surprised when I heard that all were ready, and but waiting for me to
set off.

Then Eanulf and Osric took me to the bishop, and there gave me writings
to deliver to the king, and also bade me tell all that he asked, in my
own way.

And those three saw us set forth, all well mounted, and a goodly company
to look at, the bishop blessing us before we went, and the people and
warriors following and cheering us on our way through the town, and even
some way beyond the walls.

CHAPTER XVII. ALFRED THE ATHELING.

Of our long ride to the king's place there is litt