"
"It matters nothing, Beorn; but what is but a question of an hour's
waiting in a small party is one of going altogether supperless to
bed when it is a large one. The Normans have been constantly fighting
for the last twenty years, and you see they have learned how important
it is that everything should be regular and orderly. If they manage
matters with a large force as well as they do with a small one, as
it is probable that they do, see what an advantage it gives to them.
Were two armies to arrive near each other with the intention of
fighting in the morning, and one knew exactly what to do, and could
get their food in comfort and then lie down to rest, while the other
was all in confusion, no one knowing where he should go or where
to bestow himself, and, being unable to obtain food, forced to lie
down supperless, the first army would obtain a great advantage when
they met the next morning, especially if it had breakfasted well
while the other went into the fight still fasting. Look at ourselves
how weak we were that morning when we had lain down hungry and got
up fasting, while on the morning when the woman gave us that food,
simple as it was, we stepped out boldly and in spirits."
"That is true enough, Wulf, but you know that among us it is said
that Earl Harold is always most careful for the comfort of his
soldiers."
"Yes, the earl always thinks of those around him. As I have never
been in the field I know not what the arrangements are, but I cannot
think they would be so well ordered in a great gathering of Englishmen,
or that we should manage matters as well as the Normans with all
their experience have learnt to do.
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