The King recovered himself in a few moments, and said, with some dignity, "But God and his saints alone should know the secrets of the household. What I have said was wrung from me. Bury it in thy heart. Leave me, then, Harold, sith so it must be. Put thine earldom in order, attend to the monasteries and the poor, and return soon. As for Algar, what sayest thou?"
"I fear me," answered the large-souled Harold, with a victorious effort of justice over resentment, "that if you reject his suit you will drive him into some perilous extremes. Despite his rash and proud spirit, he is brave against foes, and beloved by the ceorls, who oft like best the frank and hasty spirit. Wherefore some power and lordship it were wise to give, without dispossessing others, and not more wise than due, for his father served you well."
"And hath endowed more houses of God than any earl in the kingdom.
But Algar is no Leofric. We will consider your words and heed them.
Bless you, beau frere! and send in the cheapman. The thumb of St.
Jude! What a gift to my new church of St. Peter! The thumb of St.
Jude! Non nobis gloria! Sancta Maria! The thumb of St. Jude!"