“But—they say it’s because I haven’t asked them to stay on from last hiring. You know I’ve never asked them; as long as I thought they were satisfied, I took it they would stay.”
“Didn’t they say about leaving before, then?”
“You know that as well as I do.”
“Well, then, Master can surely stop them; they’ve no right to go if you order them to stay.”
“I’m too old to beg favours. And I’ve no mind to call in the law. You won’t tell me, then, what it’s all about?”
“If you don’t know, ’twould not help you to be told.”
“Well, well, I’ll not try to make you speak against your will. But I thank you for staying on.”
“I’ll have your dinner ready directly. You’ll need it this day.”
“Never mind the dinner. Put on a shawl and come and give me a hand with the sheep. They are lambing all over the place, and none to help them.”
And Ørlygur strode out.