"One knows not; but I thought he spoke of 'my folk' once. And he seemed to ask more than would a simple thane, and in a different way." However, it seemed to me that Harek had found a marvel for himself, and I laughed at him for supposing that Alfred the king would come there to speak to any man. Now towards evening Odda came, and with him many servants and a train of wagons. He would make a feast for us in the best house of the village, by the king's order. Every one of us was called, and all the leading Saxon shipmen, when all was ready, and it was a kingly feast enough. While they were making it ready, the ealdorman came to me on board the ship, and welcomed me in most friendly wise. "I have a message for you, King Ranald," he said presently. "Some thanes have been to me from the king, and he bids me ask you to come and speak with him." "I saw a thane here this morning who was anxious for me to see the king," I said. "A pleasant man enough--one Godred." "Ay, Godred is pleasant enough," Odda said, smiling, "but he is a terrible man for asking questions." He laughed again, as if he knew the man well, and was pleased to think of him and his ways. "None of his questions are foolish, however," I said. "I was pleased with him." "It is well if you pleased him, for he is a powerful man at court," said Odda. "I do not know if I pleased him, or if it makes any difference to me what power he has," I said carelessly. "If I want any man to speak for me to the king--which is not likely--I should come to you first." "Speak for yourself," laughed Odda, "that is the best way with Alfred." So we planned to go to Exeter with the next morning's light. Odda would bide here for the night, after the feast. Now after we had finished eating, and the ale and mead and the wine the king had sent in our honour were going round, and the gleemen were singing at times, there came a messenger into the house, and brought me a written message from the king himself, as he said. "Much good are these scratches to me," said I to Odda. "Can you read them?" "I can read nought but what is written in a man's face," he said. So I gave the scroll to Harek, who sat next me, thinking that maybe the scald could read it. He pored over it for a while. "It is of no use, king," he said. "It is in my mind that I know which is the right way up of the writing, but I am not sure." So I laughed, and asked aloud if any man present could read. There were a good many thanes and franklins present to feast in our honour. Then rose up a man, in a long brown hooded habit girt with a cord, from below the salt where he sat among the servants. He had a long beard, but was very bald. His hair grew in a thick ring round his head; which was strange, for he seemed young. "I am here, ealdorman," he said to Odda; "I will read for King Ranald."