Elfric. gazed upon him with surprise; especially when he noted the stern
cold look which sat on his features. As Redwald did not speak, Elfric
took the initiative.

"Why is not my father here? I want to see him, Redwald; do send him to
me; say I must see him, I must--I cannot endure this longer; it is
more than I can bear."

"Calm yourself and listen to me, for I have a strange story to unfold to
you."

"Not now; some other time; do send them to me."

"It must be heard now; and perhaps when you have heard it, you will
comprehend why they do not come."

"But they will come?"

"Elfric, there was, two generations back, a man who had two sons; he was
a noble thane of high descent, his eldest son was worthy of his father,
high souled, impetuous, brave, fiery, and in short, all a warrior's son
should be: the younger son had the heart of a monk, and was learned in
all pious tricks; he stole the father's heart from his elder brother."

Elfric began to listen at this point.

"At last, misjudgment and unkindness drove the elder brother from home,
and he sought food and shelter from men who had the souls of conquerors.
With them he lived, for his father disinherited him; he had no father,