“Yes, yes,” said Elfric, disregarding the testimony of both his eyes that they were all perfectly sober.
Just then his eye caught a very disagreeable object, and he turned somewhat pale.
“What are you looking at?” said Edwy.
“There is that old fox, Dunstan, talking with my father; he will learn that I am here.”
“What does it matter?”
“Only that he will easily persuade my father to take me home.”
“Then the commands of a king must outweigh those of a father. I have heard Dunstan say a king is the father of all his people, and I command you to stay.”
“I want to stay with all my heart.”
“Then you shall, even if I have to make a pretence of detaining you by force.”
The anticipations of Elfric were not far wrong. Dunstan had found out the truth. He had sought out the old thane to condole with him upon the pain he supposed he must recently have inflicted by his letter.