I did not mind her, but of a sudden she dropped her bundle of wood, and I saw that it was like to be a heavy task for her to raise it again.

So I turned and laid hold of it, for she was but six paces from me, saying: "Let me help you, Mother, to get it hoisted again.

Truly would I carry it for you for a while, but I must bide here." "That must you, Heregar the outlaw," said the old woman coolly, without a word of thanks, and I thought my story and face were better known than I deemed.

Therefore I must make the best of it.
"Well, Mother," said I, "you know me, and if you know me, so also must many others.

But I want to join the levy, and fight if need be." "Thereby knew I you to be Heregar," said she; "for none but he must stand here with the light of battle in his eyes and his hand clutched on his sword hilt and not go down to the Cross yonder, as the summons is." Then I marvelled at the old dame's wisdom, though maybe it was but a guess, and asked her what I should do, seeing that she was wise, and the words of such as she are often to be hearkened to.
"It is a wise man," she answered, "who will take advice; but never a word should you have had from old Gundred, save you had helped her, as a true man should." "Truly, Mother Gundred," I said, "I have no rede of my own, and am minded to take yours." "Then, fool," she said curtly, "link up that tippet of mail across your face, go down to Osric the Sheriff himself, beg to be allowed to fight, and see what he will tell you." I had forgotten that I could hook the hanging chain mail of my helmet across, in such manner that little but my eyes could be seen; but then that was never done but in battle--and I had never seen that yet.
"Thanks, Mother," said I, with truth, for I saw that I might do this.
"This is help indeed." "Not so fast, young sir," answered the crone; "Osric will not have you." "How know you that ?" "How does an old woman of ninety years know many things?
When you tell me that, I will say how I know that Osric will send you about your business; and that will be the best day's work he ever did." Now I was nearly angry at that, for it seemed to set light store on my valour; but there seemed something more in the old woman's tone than her taunting words would convey, so I said plainly: "Then shall I go to him ?" "Aye, fool, did I not tell you so ?" "But if it is no good ?" "Is it no good for a man who is accused of disloyalty to have witness that he wished, at least, to spend his life for his country?
Moreover, there is work for you to do which fighting will hinder for this turn-- go to, Heregar, I will tell you no more.