"Is it really you, father, in flesh and blood?" he exclaimed as his eyes fell on Ulred.
"I have never been taken for a ghost, Osgod, and if I were to give thee a buffet methinks you would have no doubt upon the matter."
"But what brings you here, father? If they had told me that the great Abbey tower stood without I could not be more surprised."
"Do you not see that I have brought Ulf with me, Osgod? If your head were not so thick you would guess at once that I have come about the business with which he was charged."
Osgod looked relieved. That his father should be in York had seemed to him so strange and outrageous that he had first doubted his own eyes, and then his father's sanity. Now for the first time the object of his coming flashed upon him.
"Is there danger, father?"
"Methinks there is great danger. But the story is a long one."
"Then I cannot wait to hear it now, for I must needs return to Wulf. I whispered in his ear that I must leave for a moment, but that I should be back directly."
"Then just whisper to him again, Osgod, that I have urgent need for speech with him. I suppose Beorn has not arrived?"
"Beorn!" Osgod repeated vaguely.