"Now I have to come ere long into your country," he said, "for I have vowed to build a church in each place where I have fought and conquered. Have you a house where I may stay?"
"My place is far from Ashingdon, lord king," I answered, "and I am rebuilding my father's house as best I can."
"I suppose my men burnt it?" he said plainly.
"Your father's men did so in the first coming."
"Therefore shall his son rebuild for your father's son," said the king. "Will you accept aught from me?"
"Lord king," said I, "I have fought against you, and have owned you unwillingly at first."
"That is certain," he said laughing, "else had you not tried to take away my queen. Go to, Redwald, you are a troublesome subject."
"I think I shall be so no longer," I answered.
So those two most royal ones bade me farewell, and I went away to Elfric, and found Godwine there. The young earl was high in favour with Cnut, and rightly.
Presently came one from the king with somewhat for me, and that was a goodly gift of money, which I hardly cared to take at first.