Yet to me the old gods were very dear, and I clung to them.

Neither Neot nor the king said aught against them, being very wise, at that time.
Presently Harek came back, and his eyes were shining.
"Tell me more of this learning," he said, casting himself down on the grass at Alfred's feet.

"Scald have I been since I could sing, and nought have I heard like this." "Some day," Neot said; "it is enough now that you should know what you have heard." So ended that strange song strife on Neot's quiet hillside.

The sun set, and the fleecy mists came up from the little river below, and we sat silent till Alfred rose and said farewell, and we went to the guest house in the village.
Now I think that none will wonder that after we had been with Neot for those ten days, we were ready and willing to take on us the "prime signing," as they called it, gladly and honestly.

So we were signed with the cross by Neot, and Alfred and Ethelnoth and Guerir were our witnesses.
I know that many scoff at this, because there are heathen who take this on them for gain, that they may trade more openly, or find profit among Christian folk, never meaning or caring to seek further into the faith that lies open, as it were, before them.