Little have I said of this, for one cannot speak of inmost thoughts; but so it was. Yet I think that, had I been older, the old faith would have died more slowly from my mind. So it was also with Harek the scald, but I think that he was Christian in heart before I had bent my mind to the matter in earnest. Long talks had he with Denewulf, the wise herdsman, while I listened.
So holy Neot rejoiced greatly over us, bidding me seek baptism at once.
"Nay, father," I said; "I fear it, knowing what it is. Let me bide for a time till I am stronger in these deep things."
He tried to persuade me gently, but at last let me be, knowing that I spoke in earnest and with all wish to seek it rightly.
So we left him on the day after we came, and went back to Athelney, and Alfred was very silent all the way.
"What ails you, my king?" I asked him at last, fearing that his pain, which had left him of late altogether, might return.
"I will tell you, cousin," he said. "Plainly has Neot shown me that all these troubles have come from my own pride and self will when first I was king. It is a long chain of happenings, of which you would know nought were I to try to tell you. But so it has been, and I weep therefor in my very heart."
Then said I:
"What is past is past, King Alfred, and best friend. Look on to the days to come, for I think that there shall rise a new and happier England before the winter comes again. There is no man whom I have met in all the hosts in whose heart is not love and best thoughts of you. Old days are forgotten as if they had never been, save that you led and conquered in the great battles beyond the Thames."
He held out his hand to me, and took mine and gripped it, saying no word, and riding on in silence for a mile and more. And after that he was of good cheer again till we came to Exeter, and there I stayed to see how fared my ships, for it was time they were in the water again.