“That is a wondrous dream,” I said, not knowing what to make thereof, having no skill in reading these matters.

“Aye, my son,” answered Eadmund; “nor can I read it; though I think I shall do so hereafter.  Nevertheless it comes into my mind that the dream warns me that my time is short.  Lie down again, my son.  Let us sleep in peace while we may.”

After that the king slept peacefully as a little child till full daylight came; but I for very sadness closed not my eyes again, for I thought that our king was fey {vi}.

But in the morning the dream had, as it seemed, passed from the mind of Eadmund, for he was very cheerful, as was his wont, and said naught of it.  However, I told my father thereof, for the remembrance was heavy to me.  And he, when he heard it, bit his lip a little, pondering, but at last laughed.

“Trouble not yourself about it, son Wulfric,” he said; “were I to mind every dream that I have had, I think that I should take no joy in life.  Why, every year, for the last five past, I have dreamed of sore shipwreck, and the old vessel’s timbers are yet hanging together!”

I laughed also, and thought that maybe he was right—­for my father’s judgment was ever the best in my eyes—­and so set my mind at rest, though the strangeness of the matter would not let it be altogether forgotten.

Now as days went on and we saw more of our guest, Lodbrok, there was, I think, no man of our household who would willingly have seen him take ship and leave us; for his ways and words were pleasant to all alike, and there seemed to be no craft of which he knew not something, so that he could speak to each man, in field or village or boat, of the things that he knew best.  And that is a gift that may well be longed for by any man who would be loved by others.

Greatly pleased with him was Eadmund the King, so that he would talk long with him of the ways and laws and peoples beyond the seas; and also of hunting and hawking, which they both loved well.  And in this last Lodbrok was the best skilled master I have ever known; and the king would ever have him ride beside him in the field while the court was yet with us.  And that pleased not Beorn, though he kept his ill will to himself; and maybe I alone noted it, for I had not spoken of that meeting, of which I have told, even to my father.

Well, too, did my mother and Eadgyth like the courtly ways of the jarl, who was ever ready to tell them of the life in his household, and of the daughter, Osritha, who was its mistress since her mother died but a few years since, and her two elder sisters had been married to chiefs of their own land.  Sometimes, too, they would ask him of the dress of the ladies of his land; but at that he would laugh and shake his head, saying that he only knew that they went wondrously clad, but that he could tell naught more of the matter.