of taking some men on some errand or the like house-carle work, and
then I bethought me that I would even go and see how fared Elfrida.
It was not unpleasant to think of taking her by surprise, for I did
not suppose that she had heard of my return yet. At all events, she
would have no chance of making up some stiff greeting for me.
Wherefore I went down the street with my head in the air, making up
my mind how I would greet her, and maybe I thought of a dozen ways
before I reached the ealdorman's door.

His welcome was hearty enough at all events, but before I could
make up my mind to ask for Elfrida, who was not to be seen at
first, though I had counted on finding her at her wheel in the
great hall of the house, as was her wont in the afternoon, he had
wasted a long hour in hearing all that he could of my affairs, as
may be supposed. There had been some strange rumours flying about
since I was lost. I began to wish that I had brought Thorgils home
with me, for it was plain that I should have to go over all this
too often, and he cared not at all how many times he told the same
tale.

At last I was able to find a chance of asking how fared the lady
Elfrida, and at that the ealdorman laughed.

"What, has not all this put that foolishness out of your head?" he
said.

"No, it has not," I answered pretty shortly.

But all the same, the old thought that I had remembered her less
than I would have it known did flash across me for a moment.