"Well, and who are ye?" said the oldest-looking man.
Biggun had no idea who these men were, and after what he had heard from Father Dicoll about Edilwalch and his friendship for Arwald, he thought it better to conceal as long as possible who he was and where he came from.
"My name is Ceolwulf."
"Where dost come from?"
"From Boseham."
"Why, we know every one who lives in Boseham, and we never saw thee before, so that won't pass."
"Nevertheless I come from Boseham."
"Look here, old man, thou hadst better tell us at once all about thyself and the boy there, both for thy sake and his. We are not used to be trifled with, and thou art old enough to know what being made a spread eagle means."
Ceolwulf scratched his head and looked at Wulfstan, who, boy-like, could not see what there was to hide, for if they knew every one in Boseham they must know the kind monks who had so befriended them.
"Now, old man, be quick," said his questioner.