an kings was
shared by their English predecessors: the manners and customs of the
court of Edred were simplicity itself.

After a few moments of private conversation with Redwald, the boys
returned to their chamber to prepare for dinner.

"You noted that man," said Edwy; "well, I don't know how I should live
without him."

Elfric's looks expressed surprise.

"You will find out by and by; you have little idea how strictly we are
kept here, and how much one is indebted to one's servants for the gift
of liberty, especially in Lent and on fast days, when one does not get
half enough to eat, and must sometimes escape the gloom and starvation
of the palace."

"Starvation?"

"What else do you call it, when you get nothing but fish, fish, fish,
and bread and water to help it down. My uncle is awfully religious. I
can hardly stand it sometimes. He would like to spend half the day in
chapel, but, happily for all the rest of us, the affairs of state are
too urgent for that, so we do get a little breathing time, or else I
should have to twist my mouth all of one side singing dolorous chants
and tunes which are worse than a Danish war whoop, for he likes, he
says, to hear the service hearty."

"But it helps you on with your Latin."

"Not much of that, for I sing anything that comes into my head; the
singing men make such a noise, they can hear no one else, and I fancy
they don't know what a word of the Latin prayers means."

"But isn't it irreverent--too irreverent, I mean. Father Cuthbert made
me afraid to mock God, he told such stories about judgment."

"All fudge and nonsense--oh, I beg your pardon, it is all very godly
and pious, and really I expect to be greatly edified by your piety in
chapel. Pray, when shall you be canonised?"

Elfric could not bear ridicule, and blushed for the second time that
morning. Just then the bell rang for dinner, or rather was struck with a
mallet by the master of the ceremonies.

King Edred dined that day, as one might say, in the bosom of his family;
only Dunstan was present, besides the boys Edwy, Edgar his younger
brother, and Elfric. It was then that Elfric first saw the younger
prince, a pale studious-looking boy of twelve, but with a very firm and
intellectual expression of countenance. He was a great favourite with
Dunstan, whom the boy, unlike his brother, regarded with the greatest
respect and reverence.

The conversation was somewhat stiff; Edred spoke a few kind words t