"Lord, here is enough to buy half the town!" my father said.
"What of that? The town is Havelok's by right, and maybe you can buy him
a village across seas with it. But give me a full quittance for my
purchase of your goods and cattle and house, that I may have right to them."
That Grim did at once, before witnesses who were called in, none
wondering that he chose thus to secure his property while he was away,
because Hodulf might make demands on it. They did not know that any
money changed hands, and thought it formal only, and a wise thing to be
done.
After that Grim and Arngeir took leave of the jarl, thanking him, and
they went to our house.
There waited my mother anxiously enough, for she knew from my message
that there was somewhat new to be told, or my father had not left the
ship. Nor do I think that what was to be done was altogether a surprise
to her, for she had thought much, and knew the dangers that might crop
up. So, being very brave, she strove to make light of the trouble that
leaving her home cost her, and set about gathering the few things that
she could take.
Now on the hearth sat Withelm, tending the fire, and he heard presently
that we were all to go to sea; and that pleased him well, for he had
ever longed to sail with his father. As for Havelok, he had waked once,
and had well eaten, and now was sleeping again.
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