' You seem to have fared bravely,
Wulf, judging from your attire."
"Yes, we were in sore plight when we arrived at Rouen, but the duke
saw that we were provided with clothes and with horses for our
journey here."
At this moment an attendant came out from the hall and informed
Wulf that the duke desired speech with him. Beorn was already at
the entrance, and they were conducted on to the dais.
"Here are your two pages," the duke said to Harold. "I hold myself
to be greatly their debtor for having carried me the news that has
brought about this meeting, and given me the pleasure of having you
as my guest. They are faithful lads and quick-witted, for no men
could have carried out the mission better or more promptly than
they did."
"Still more am I indebted to them," Harold said as he held out his
hand to the two lads, who bent on one knee while they kissed it.
"I knew not of their going until I learnt from your barons that
they had reached Rouen with the news. They are wards of mine, and
although at one time my pages they have ceased to be so for more
than a year, and have both been down upon their estates learning
the duties of their station, which I deemed better for them than
wasting their time and getting into mischief at court."
The duke nodded. "The result shows that your course was a wise one.
At court youths learn but little good. The atmosphere is not healthy
for men still less for boys, and these youths will shortly be of
an age when they will be fit to render men's service, as indeed
they have already done.
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