Why, you work many more hours a
day than I did in my father's forge. It is either books, or the
affairs of the tenants, or visiting the monastery all day when you
are not at work with your sword exercises. When I have done with
my work with Leof I like to lie down in the sun and take it quietly,
and I cannot understand how you can be for ever on foot."
"I have so many things to do, Osgod; there is so much to learn, and
I do not wish to grow up a mere beer swiller like Edmund of Angmering
or Ethelred of Arundel. Their lives are, as far as I can see, no
whit higher or more worthy than that of their own serfs, from whom
they differ only that they eat more, drink more, and sleep on softer
beds. Earl Harold expects better things than that of me, and I want
to make myself worthy of being one of those in whom he can place
confidence and on whom he can depend in case of trouble. I have
heard him say how bad it is for England that our thanes are, in
learning and culture, so far behind the nobles of other countries,
and that if England is ever to take her place among great nations
it must be by her thanes first raising themselves to the level of
the nobles abroad, who are the counsellors of their kings. I can
never hope to be anything like Earl Harold, who is the wisest and
greatest of Englishmen, but I do hope so to fit myself that some
day he may think me worthy of trust and confidence."
"Well, master," Osgod said lazily, "every one to his liking.
Pages:
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57