"Mother," said Havelok, "let me help you up with these things."
That frightened the old lady, for she had been looking at him, and had
made up her mind that he was some mighty noble, as did most strangers.
"Nay, lord," she said; "that is not fitting for you."
"Less fitting is it that a strong man should see you thus burdened and
not help. No lord am I, but only the cook's man. So I am going to the
palace."
But this she would not believe at first, and still refused. However,
Lincoln Hill is very steep, and she was not sorry when Havelok laughed
and took the things from her so soon as she had to halt for breath.
"Curan will carry you up also, if you will, mother," said Withelm.
The nurse tossed her head at him and made no answer, being on her
dignity at once. Moreover, she had heard of Curan by this time, though
she had not seen him before. So she said no more, and went on proudly
enough, with her mighty attendant after her; but all the while it was in
her mind that there was some jest, or maybe wager, between the two.
Now Withelm stopped at the gate; but I was not there, for I had been
sent to the palace, where guards were to be at each door. The word was
that some plot had been found out against the princess, and that
therefore we had to be careful. One easily believed that with all the
talk about the attack made on her party that was flying about.
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