di (who thought I wasn't looking) made a
little cross in holy water on his wet muzzle, he kissed Eddi's hand. A
week before Eddi wouldn't have touched him. _That_ was a miracle, if you
like! But seriously, I was more glad than I can tell you to get Meon. A
rare and splendid soul that never looked back--never looked back!' The
Archbishop half closed his eyes.

'But, sir,' said Puck, most respectfully, 'haven't you left out what
Meon said afterwards?' Before the Bishop could speak he turned to the
children and went on: 'Meon called all his fishers and ploughmen and
herdsmen into the hall and he said: "Listen, men! Two days ago I asked
our Bishop whether it was fair for a man to desert his fathers' Gods in
a time of danger. Our Bishop said it was not fair. You needn't shout
like that, because you are all Christians now. My red war-boat's crew
will remember how near we all were to death when Padda fetched them over
to the Bishop's islet. You can tell your mates that even in that place,
at that time, hanging on the wet, weedy edge of death, our Bishop, a
Christian, counselled me, a heathen, to stand by my fathers' Gods. I
tell you now that a faith which takes care that every man shall keep
faith, even though he may save his soul by breaking faith, is the faith
for a man to believe in. So I believe in the Christian God, and in
Wilfrid His Archbishop, and in the Church that Wilfrid rules. You have
been baptized once by the King's orders. I shall not have you baptized
again; but if I find any more old women being sent to Wotan, or any
girls dancing on the sly before Balder, or any men talking about Thun or
Lok or the rest, I will teach you with my own hands how to keep faith
with the Christian God. Go out quietly; you'll find a couple of beefs on
the beach." Then of course they shouted "Hurrah!" which meant "Thor help
us!" and--I think you laughed, sir?'

'I think you remember it all too well,' said the Archbishop, smiling.
'It was a joyful day for me. I had learned a great deal on that rock
where Padda found us. Yes--yess! One should deal kindly with all the
creatures of God, and gently with their masters. But one learns late.'

He rose, and his gold-embroidered sleeves rustled thickly.

The organ clacked and took deep breaths.

'Wait a minute,' Dan whispered. 'She's going to do the trumpety one. It
takes all the wind you can pump. It's in Latin, sir.'

'There is no other tongue,' the Archbishop answered.

'It's not a r