yself, for it
was true enough, but I did not speak at once. It did not follow
that I could rule as I should, even with all this to help me, and I
knew it.

"What, is more needed?" Ina said. "Well, I at least have had a
letter from Owen by the hand of Thorgils yesterday. See what is
written in it."

He set the writing in my hand, and turned away while I read it. It
was meant for my sight as well as his, for he had written to Owen
concerning this post for me. And after I had read it all I could
say no more, for Owen told how he would help me in all ways
possible, and also that he knew how Gerent himself would be more
content in knowing that no stranger was to be over the land he had
lost.

So I gave the letter back to the king's hand, and said plainly: "I
think that I may not hold back from what you ask me, my King, after
all that Owen says. Nevertheless I--"

"But I am certain that you will do well," said Ina. "Now I shall
miss my captain about the court, but I need him here. So you must
even stay. There is Owen on the west to help you keep the peace in
one way, and Herewald on the east to help you with the levies if
need be. Fear not, therefore. It is in my mind that you will have
an easier time here than any other I could have bethought me of, if
I had tried."

Then, as in duty bound, I knelt and kissed the hand of the king in
token of homage, and he smiled at me contented.

"You will be the first ealdorman of Devon, Oswald, when the Witan
meets," he said; for it needed the word of the council of the
thanes to give me the rank that was fitting.

Then when I rose up and stood somewhat mazed with the suddenness of
it all, Ethelburga the queen, who had stood by smiling at me now
and then, said: "This is your hall, Oswald, remember. But it needs
one thing yet. You were wrong when you said it was complete."

I looked round and saw nothing wanting, from the hangings on the
wall to the pile of skins on the high place seats.

"There are the pegs for the arms of the house-carles," I said, "but
no arms thereon yet. That will soon be mended. And I have to set up
a head or two of game, to make all homely, maybe?"

"More than that, Oswald," she said, laughing. "Strange how dense a
man can be! It is a mistress who is needed. Else the women of Devon
will have no friend at court."

I laughed, a little foolishly, perhaps, not having any answer at
all, and Ina smiled and went out into the court by himself, saying
that h