The bright arms and shields on the walls shone below the heads of deer and wolf and boar, and the gust of wind that came in with us flew round the wall, making a sort of ripple of changing colour run along the bright woven stuffs that covered them to more than a man's height from the floor.

No one in all East Anglia had so well dight a hall as had Elfric, the rich Thane of Reedham.
Well used was I to all this, but never seemed it more homelike to me than when I came in fresh from the the cold, gray sea.
And now there stood on the high place to welcome us those whose presence made the place yet more beautiful to me--my mother, and Eadgyth my sister, and beside them were Bishop Humbert, our own bishop, and many thanes of the court, and some of the bishop's clergy.

Such a gathering my father, and, indeed, all of us, loved, for all were well known to us.
Now I went to greet these dear ones and friends, and there was pleasant jest and laughter at us for coming thus sea clad and spray stained into the midst of that gay company.

So that for a little time I forgot Lodbrok, who had not followed me beyond the hearth.
Then Eadgyth said to me: "Who is that noble-looking man who stands so sadly and alone by the fire ?" I turned, blaming myself for this forgetfulness, and there was the Dane gazing into the flames, and seeming heedless of all that was going on.

Nor do I think that I had ever seen one look so sad as looked that homeless man, as he forgot the busy talk and movement around him in some thoughts of his own.
So I went to him, touching his arm gently, and he started a little.
Then his grave smile came, and he said: "Truly, Wulfric, I had forgotten all things but my own home, and when I woke from my dream at your touch, half thought I that you were Halfden--that youngest son of mine of whom I told you." Then so wistfully looked he at me that I could not forbear saying to him: "You must hold me as in Halfden's place, for this will be your house, if you will, until there comes a ship that will take you home.