human
I am Vebba, son of Bjorn, he said.
gpt
Thou art welcome. Who art thou?
human
I am Ned Webb. I went out fishing, and I came in by the fiord.
gpt
Ned, son of Webb? replied the Viking.
human
Thou art of the south haven men. I know them not well. Come thou to my house. I will meet thy father when he cometh to the gathering.
gpt
I shall be glad to come, said Ned, with his best manners, but he was thinking,
human
Meet my father? Well! I don't believe he will. I've a pretty clear notion that father won't be there.
gpt
All mine have been fishing also, said Vebba, as he turned to walk away, Ned following with him.
human
Thou must know that we are salting and smoking every fin we can pull in, that the ships of Harold Hardrada's fleet may not sail without plentiful provisions when he and Tostig Godwinson harness the steeds of the sea to bear the heroes of the North to the conquest of England.
gpt
Thou art but young to join in a feast of swords, but we will arm thee and thou shalt sail with us to the shore of Britain. There will be grand fighting when we close with the Saxon host that will meet us under Harold the King.
human
That's just what I'd like to see! exclaimed Ned.
gpt
Of all things! I've always wanted to conquer England, and now I'm to have a tip-top chance. When do you all expect to go?
human
It hath taken long to build ships, replied Vebba.
gpt
The keels of Hardrada will be fifteen score, and Tostig hath already as many as three score with him at Bruges. We wait, now, only for the outfitting. Let us walk on to the house.
human
No style here, thought Ned.
gpt
I wonder, though, if a steel cap feels heavy on a fellow's head. Perhaps it doesn't when one gets used to it. Oh, but I'm glad I can understand them. I'd be in the worst kind of fix if I couldn't.