At the last, when I was about to leave his presence, he said: "There is one matter that we must speak of tomorrow, for it is weighty and needs thought.

Let it bide now, for it is nought unhappy, and so come to me at noon and we will speak thereof.

Now your friends will seek you, and I will not say more." I left him then with a little wonder as to what this business might be, but thought little of it, as it would very likely be a matter of taking some men on some errand or the like house-carle work, and then I bethought me that I would even go and see how fared Elfrida.
It was not unpleasant to think of taking her by surprise, for I did not suppose that she had heard of my return yet.

At all events, she would have no chance of making up some stiff greeting for me.
Wherefore I went down the street with my head in the air, making up my mind how I would greet her, and maybe I thought of a dozen ways before I reached the ealdorman's door.
His welcome was hearty enough at all events, but before I could make up my mind to ask for Elfrida, who was not to be seen at first, though I had counted on finding her at her wheel in the great hall of the house, as was her wont in the afternoon, he had wasted a long hour in hearing all that he could of my affairs, as may be supposed.

There had been some strange rumours flying about since I was lost.