t me, or I shall grow idle. That is the failing of
over-big men," Havelok said; and he took the loaves and left the palace
with the two market men at his heels.

I saw him come back, and at once the crowd of idlers made for him, but
in a respectful way enough. I knew, however, how easily these folks took
to throwing mud and stones in their own quarrels, and I was a little
anxious, for to interfere with the ways of the market is a high offence
among them.

But Havelok knew naught of that, and went his way with his loaves to the
bridge end, and there sat on the rail and looked at the men before him.
And /lo!/ back to my mind came old days in Denmark, and how I once saw
Gunnar the king sitting in open court to do justice, and then I knew for
certain that I was looking on his son. And when Havelok spoke it was in
the voice of Gunnar that I had long forgotten, but which came back to me
clear and plain, as if it were yesterday that I had heard it. Never does
a boy forget his first sight of the king.

"Friends," said Havelok, "if I do two men's work I get two men's pay, or
else I might want to know the reason why. But I am only one man, all the
same, and it seems right to me that none should be the loser. Wherefore
I have a mind to share my pay fairly."

There was a sort of shout at that and Havelok set his four loaves in a
row on the rail beside him. But then some of the rougher men went to
make a rush at them, and he took the foremost two and shook them, so
that others laughed and bade the rest beware.

"So that is just where the trouble comes in," said Havelok coolly; "the
strong get the first chance, as I did this morning, by reason of there
being none to see fair play."

"Bide in the market, master, and we will make you judge among us," cried
a small man from the edge of the crowd.

"Fair and softly," Havelok answered. "I am not going to bide here longer
than I can help. Come hither, grandfer," and he beckoned to the old man
who had bidden them wait his return, "tell me the names of the men who
have been longest without any work."

The old man pointed out three, and then Havelok stopped him.

"One of these loaves is my own wage," he said; "but you three shall have
the others, and that will be the easiest day's work you ever did. But
think not that I am going to do the like every day, for Lincoln hill is
no easy climb, and the loaf is well earned at the top. Moreover, it is
not good to encourage the idle by worki