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It was a genuine surprise to the spectators, and a great shout went up. "Three cheers for Andy Grant!" Andy smiled, and he raised his hat in acknowledgment of the compliment. Mr. Gale pressed forward and greeted the young victor. "You have done yourself credit," he said. "You know how to row. Where did you learn?" "At Penhurst Academy; I was trained by a Harvard oarsman."
Gale, the donor of the prize, who was himself a good rower, took notice of him. "Who is that boy?" he asked, pointing to Andy. "I don't think I have seen him before." "It is Andy Grant, the son of Farmer Grant." "Why haven't I seen him before?" "He has been absent at school at Penhurst Academy." "He knows how to row. See how he handles his oars." "I didn't know he was a rower."
Now, before he had made up his mind to say any more, Godwine was ready to hear about the winning back of the sword, and of the fights in Ulfkytel's land, and then a man came from the ships with some business, and he went away with him. And by that time Relf had somewhat to say. "Penhurst is a lonesome place, and it will be worse for my wife when Sexberga is gone," he said musingly.
"Now tell me what became of the brave maiden who withstood the Danes with you, and also my sharp tongue trouble sharpened it, Redwald, and I have repented my hard words to her." "She is with friends at Penhurst, near to Earl Wulfnoth's castle of Pevensea. And she feared that you would hate her." "I would that I could reward her rather," the queen said. "Have you seen her of late?"
To reassure her, this Dartrey-Victor drew her close and kissed her; and she was confused and passed into the breast of Mrs. Burman expecting an operation at the hands of the surgeons. The train had stopped. 'Penhurst? she said. 'Penhurst is the next station, said the gentleman. Here was a theme for him! The stately mansion, the noble grounds, and Sidney! He discoursed of them.
"When we were at Penhurst," she said, "you told me how you were seeking me well, maybe I was seeking you. It fell out thus. When you and Olaf, whom I long to see, scattered the Danes here, Gunnhild said that we must fly, for they were seeking hiding places. So she would go to her sister, who is abbess at Ramsey, by the great mere of Whittlesea.
I was more content then, for I could not have reached our king, had I returned from Normandy, as it seemed. And now it was possible that he might make headway against the divided forces of the Danes. I might join him yet in time to share in some final victory. So the early summer days at Penhurst became very pleasant to me, for I had little care that need sit heavily on my mind.
"Why, that is well," he said. "Now, after her wedding my wife will be sorely lost for want of a companion, and I would ask you to come home to Penhurst with us, and bide there until you may seek your friends again or as long as you wish. And glad shall we be of your help at the wedding feast."
"This is the pest of my life," answered the earl angrily, "for no sooner are our men gone harvesting than these forest knaves begin to give trouble. "When were you last burnt out, Relf of Penhurst?" and he laughed in an angry way that had no mirth in it. "Four years agone after our trouble with Brihtric," answered the thane.
"So all that plan came out thus and it is well," I said. "But why would you not come to Penhurst at first?" She laughed lightly, answering: "Can you not guess? Relf saw, and set things right. Did he never tell you what was wrong?" "He said that it was want of travelling gear," said I. "Why, that was not it, though being thoughtful and fatherly he asked of that first."
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