Then I said to those about me, who were watching all this in silence:
"Who is this strange man?"
"It is Neot the holy, King Alfred's cousin," one answered, whispering.
"That is a strange dress for an atheling," I said; but they hushed me.
Now it seemed that Odda tried again to draw this Neot to the high table, but he would not come.
Then I said to old Thord, who sat over against me beyond Odda's empty chair:
"This is foolishness; or will he not honour the king's guests?"
But a thane shook his head at me, whispering behind his hand:
"It is humbleness. He has put his rank from him, and will not be held as being above any man."
Then spoke old Thord: