"There is great talk of his doings in Neustria {xii} beyond the Channel.

It is your kindness only that holds you here, King Ranald, and there wait glory and wealth for you and your men." So he urged me for a little while, not giving me time to answer him as I would; but when I said nothing he stayed his words, and then I spoke plainly, and it was good to see his face light up as I did so.
"It shall not be said of me that I left King Alfred, who has been my good friend, in time of trouble; rather will I stay here and do what I can to help him out of it.

Why, there are ships that I have put in frame for him in the western ports that the Danes will not reach yet, if at all.

When spring comes we will man them and make a landing somewhere, and so divide the Danish host at least." "Now I will say no more," answered the thane, putting his hand on mine.

"Speak thus to the king when we find him, and it will do him good, for I think that when he left Chippenham he was well-nigh despairing." "It is hard to think that of Alfred," I said.
"Ay; but I saw his face as he rode away just before I sought you.
Never saw I such a look on a man's face before, and I pray that I may not see it again.