“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. “Never saw I one with a face like that who harmed any man, either in word or deed.”
Now when Havelok had set down his load in the kitchen, he straightened himself and said to Berthun, who was, as one may say, waiting his pleasure.
“This is today’s task; but it is in my mind that I would stay up here and work.”
“What would you do?”
“There are men yonder who will miss the carrying if I am market porter always. But here are things I can earn my keep at, and help the other servants with at the same time. Water drawing there is, and carrying of logs for the fire, and cleaving them also, and many other things that will be but hardening my muscles, while they are over heavy to be pleasant for other folk.”