human
Now, dame, know you of any thane in hiding hereabouts?
gpt
I know nothing. Here be I, lamed, in the cottage all day.
human
There is a close friend of mine in hiding from the Danes somewhere here, I said, doubting, from her manner, if she spoke the truth.
gpt
I would take him to a safer place.
human
None safer, she answered.
gpt
What is his name?
human
Godred,
gpt
I know of no thanes,
human
Yours is a good spell against the evil eye, mother, he said,
gpt
What is it?
human
News for news, he answered carelessly.
gpt
Tell us if you know aught of this thane, and I will tell you.
human
I said not that there was a thane.
gpt
Nay, mother; but you denied it not. Come now; I think what I can tell you will save you trouble.
human
Yonder, then, she said, nodding to the dense alder thickets that hid the river Tone from us, across a stretch of frozen mere or flooded land.
gpt
I wot well that he who bides in Denewulf's cottage is a thane, for he wears a gold ring, and wipes his hands in the middle of the towel, and sits all day studying and troubling in his mind in such wise that he is no good to any one--not even turning a loaf that burns on the hearth before his eyes. Ay, they call him Godred.