His mother looked in from
behind the shop and said, 'Surely that must have been Osgod's laugh.'
'It was,' I said, 'and there he stands before you. The impudent
rascal has topped me by over half a head, though I am a fair height
myself.' Then she carried him away, and I saw no more of him until
I had finished my work. Since supper he has been telling me somewhat
of what he has been doing down with you, which, as far as I can
learn, amounts to nothing, save the exercising of his arms and the
devouring of victuals."
"He did all there was to do, Ulred, except that he could not bring
that long body and those loose arms of his to offer me cup or platter
without risk to my garments, and even Egbert was forced to agree
that he should never be able to make a courtly servant of him; but
save in that matter Osgod has got on right well. He has always been
ready when I wanted him, and prepared at once to start with me
either on foot or horseback whenever I wished to go out. He is
growing into a mighty man-at-arms, and well-nigh broke the skull
as well as the casque of the captain and teacher of my house carls.
Another two years, if he goes on as he has done and we go into
battle again, no thane in the land will have a stouter body-guard."
"Are you going to stay in London, Master Wulf?"
"Yes; that is, while the earl is here. When he is away hunting or
attending to the affairs of the state I suppose I shall go with
him.
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