"What pay have you
given to each man who carries for you?"
"A yesterday's loaf each," answered Berthun, wondering plainly that
Havelok paid any heed to the noise.
"Well, then, let us go on, and we will think of somewhat," Havelok said;
and then he turned to the people, who were silent at once.
"I am a newcomer, and a hungry one," he said, smiling quietly, "and I
have a mind to earn my loaf well. Hinder me not for today, and hereafter
I will take my chance with the rest, if need is."
Thereat the folk began to laugh also, for it was plain that none had any
chance at all if he chose to put forth his strength; but an old man said
loudly, "Let the good youth alone now, and he shall talk with us when he
has done his errand and fed that great bulk of his. He has an honest
face, and will be fair to all."
That seemed to please the crowd; and after that they said no more, but
followed and watched the gathering up of Havelok's mighty burden. And
presently there was more than he could manage; and he spoke to Berthun,
who checked himself in a half bow as he answered.
Then Havelok looked over the faces before him, and beckoned to two men
who seemed weakly and could not press forward, and to them he gave the
lighter wares, and so left the market with his master, as one must call
the steward.
"What told I you?" said the old man, as they came back from the great
gate.
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