"He met me just outside the gate, father."
"By the blessing of heaven, my son."
"But why hast thou sent for me, and why this haste?"
"A dying man wishes to see thee--nay, do not start! he has a sad confession to make--one it will harrow thy blood to hear, and he cannot die in peace without thy forgiveness."
"My forgiveness! How has he injured me? He is a Norman, I suppose?"
"Nay, he belongeth not to the proud race of our oppressors; he is an old serf of thy house. Dost thou remember Beorn the woodman?"
"Who slew the deer and sold them in secret, and when the deed was discovered, fled?"
"The same; it is he."
"But what harm hath he done so great that he should come here to ask forgiveness? 'Twas a small matter; at least, it seems so now."
"My son, that is not the matter he hath to confess."