"Now, after her wedding my wife will be sorely lost for want of a companion, and I would ask you to come home to Penhurst with us, and bide there until you may seek your friends again--or as long as you wish.

And glad shall we be of your help at the wedding feast." So he spoke cheerfully, trying to make all the honour come from her, as kindness to himself and his wife.

But though the tears came into Uldra's eyes at the good thane's plain meaning, she was silent yet, save that she said: "I know not how to thank you for your goodwill to me." "Nay," he said; "but my wife will blame me if you come not.

'Here,' she will say, 'is the companion whom I needed, and a friend of our Redwald's, moreover, and you have not brought her.' I pray you, come with us.

Do you ask her, Redwald; I am rough, and you are courtly." Then I said: "Lady, this is all that Elfric would wish for you.