And it was evident that he had by now formed the habit of talking freely to his secretary. For he went up to her at once. 'Well, now they know what to expect! he said, his eyes glittering, and all his thick hair on his small peaked head standing up in a high ridge, like the crest of a battle-helmet.
The room was guarded by an army of earls, as erst was done. They bared the bench-boards; abroad they spread beds and bolsters. One beer-carouser in danger of doom lay down in the hall. At their heads they set their shields of war, bucklers bright; on the bench were there over each atheling, easy to see, the high battle-helmet, the haughty spear, the corselet of rings.