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to his followers； but when all is lost he should think of his
country。 What though the brave thanes slew each a score of
Danes before they died； their death has left their countrymen
without a leader； and by that one battle the Danes have
made themselves masters of the north of East Anglia。 Better
far had they； when the day was lost； retreated； to gather the
people together when a better opportunity presented itself；
and again to make head against the invaders。 It is heathen
rather than Christian warfare thus to throwaway their lives
rather than to retreat and wait for God's time to come again。
To stake all on one throw； which if lost loses a whole people；
seems to me the act of a gamester。 I trust that； should the
time ever come； as it is too much to be feared it will ere long；
that the Danes invade my brother's kingdom of Wessex； I
shall not be found wanting in courage； but assuredly when
defeated in battle I would not throwaway my life； for that
belongs to our people rather than to myself； but would retire
to some refuge until I could again gather the Saxons around
me and attack the invaders。 I like the face of the young
ealdorman； and doubt not that he will prove a valiant warrior
like his father。 My brother will doubtless assign him
lands for his maintenance and yours； but if he will let me I
will attach him to my person； and will be at once a master
and a friend to him。 Wouldst thou like this； young Edmund？〃
The lad； greatly pleased at the young prince's kindness
of speech and manner； replied enthusiastically that he would
follow him to the death if he would accept him as his faithful
thane。
〃Had the times been more peaceful； Edmund；〃 Alfred
said； 〃I would fain have imparted to you some of the little
knowledge that I have gained； for I see an intelligence in your
face which tells me that you would have proved an apt and
eager pupil； but； alas； in the days that are coming it is the
sword rather than the book which will prevail； and the cares
of state； and the defence of the country； will shortly engross
all my time and leave me but little leisure for the studies I
love so well。〃
〃There are the lands；〃 the king said； 〃of Eabald；
Ealdorman of Sherborne； in Dorset。 He died but last week
and has left no children。 These lands I will grant to Edmund
in return for liege and true service。〃 The lad knelt before
the king； and； kissing his hand； swore to be his true and
faithful thane； and to spend land； goods； and life in
his service。
〃And now；〃 the king said； 〃since the audience is over；
and none other comes before us with petitions； we will retire
to our private apartments； and there my brother Alfred will
present you to the fair Elswitha； his wife。〃
The room into which Egbert and Edmund followed the
king and his brother was spacious and lofty。 The walls were
covered with hangings of red cloth； and a thick brown baize
covered the floor。 The ceiling was painted a dark brown
with much gilding。 Round the sides of the room stood several
dressers of carved oak； upon which stood gold and silver cups。
On a table were several illuminated vellums。 At Croyland
Edmund had seen a civilization far in advance of that to which
he had been accustomed in his father's abode； but he saw
here a degree of luxury and splendour which surprised him。
Alfred had； during his two visits to Rome； learned to
appreciate the high degree of civilization which reigned there；
and many of the articles of furniture and other objects which
met Edmund's eye he had brought with him on his return
with his father from that city。
Across the upper end of the room was a long table laid
with a white cloth。 Elswitha was sitting in a large gilded chair
by the great fire which was blazing on the hearth。
Prince Alfred presented Edmund and Egbert to her。
Elswitha was well acquainted with the Ealdorman Eldred； as
his lands lay on the very border of her native Mercia； and she
received the lad and his kinsman with great kindness。 In a
short time they took their places at table。 First the
attendance brought in bowls containing broth； which they
presented； kneeling； to each of those at table。 The broth was
drunk from the bowl itself； then a silver goblet was placed by
each diner； and was filled with wine。 Fish was next served。
Plates were placed before each； but instead of their cutting
food with their own daggers； as Edmund had been accustomed
to see in his father's house； knives were handed round。
After the fish came venison； followed by wild boar； chickens；
and other meats。 After these confections； composed chiefly
of honey； were placed on the table。 The king and Prince
Alfred pledged their guests when they drank。 No forks were
used； the meat as cut being taken up by pieces of bread to
the mouth。 During the meal a harper played and sung。
Edmund observed the decorum with which his royal
hosts fed； and the care which they took to avoid dipping their
fingers into their saucers or their plates。 He was also struck
with the small amount of wine which they took； for the Saxons
in general were large feeders； and drank heavily at
their meals。
When the dinner was over a page brought round a basin of
warm water； in which lavender had been crushed； and
each dipped his fingers in this and then dried them on the
cloth。 Then at Prince Alfred's request Egbert again related
in full the details of the two days' desperate struggle at
Kesteven； giving the most minute particulars of the Danes'
method of fighting。 Egbert and Edmund then retired to the
royal guest…house adjoining the palace； where apartments
were assigned to them。
After remaining for a week at Reading they took leave
of the king and started for the lands which he had assigned
to Edmund。 They were accompanied by an officer of the
royal household； who was to inform the freemen and serfs of
the estate that by the king's pleasure Edmund had been
appointed ealdorman of the lands。 They found on arrival that
the house had been newly built； and was large and comfortable。
The thanes of the district speedily came in to pay their
respects to their new ealdorman； and although surprised to
find him so young； they were pleased with his bearing and
manner； and knowing that he came of good fighting blood
doubted not that in time he would make a valiant leader。 All
who came were hospitably entertained； and for many days
there was high feasting。 So far removed was this part of
England from the district which the Danes had invaded；
that at present but slight alarm had been caused by them；
but Edmund and his kinsman lost no time in impressing upon
them the greatness of the coming danger。
〃You may be sure；〃 he said； 〃that ere long we shall see
their galleys on the coast。 When they have eaten up Mercia
and Anglia they will assuredly come hither； and we shall have
to fight for our lives； and unless we are prepared it will go
hard with us。〃
After he had been at his new residence for a month
Edmund sent out messengers to all the thanes in his district
requesting them to assemble at a council； and then formally
laid the matter before them。
〃It is； above all things；〃 he said； 〃necessary that we should
have some plac