Whereby you are the more fortunate." Now for all the mistake I could not find a word to say, and was fain to thank him for the good word on my looks.

Yet he went on looking at me now and then in a puzzled sort of way.

And the bishop seemed to enjoy his wonderment, but was in no mind to enlighten him.
Presently the bishop bade Wislac sit down, and then he took up Osric's ring that I had given him, and also another which lay beside it on the table--silver also, with some device on it, like that I had worn.
"See, thanes," he said, "have you three a mind to stay with me for a while and be my council in this matter?
For I am here without a fighting man of my own to speak with." Now this was what I would most wish, and I said so, eagerly and with thanks.
And Wislac said that he was surely in good company, and having nought to call him home would gladly stay also.
Then said the bishop, "Stranger you are, friend Wislac, and therefore wear this ring of Osric's, that men may pay heed to you as his friend and mine; and do you, Heregar, wear this of mine that men may know you for bishop's man, and so respect your word." So was I put under the bishop's protection, and he would answer for my presence in Wessex to all and any.

That was good, and I felt a free man again in truth, for here was no errand that would end, as Osric's was ended, when I had seen Eanulf.
Now Wulfhere had not spoken, and the bishop asked him if he too would not stay.
"Ay, lord," answered Wulfhere, "gladly; but you spoke of thanes only." "When the Bishop of Sherborne names one as a thane," said Ealhstan, smiling, "men are apt to hold him as such.

But only to the worthy are such words spoken.