Alwy shows Egelric

“Well, Alwy, that was quite a climb,” Egelric said as they reached the top of the hill. I hope that what you wanted to show me was worth the trip.”

“I hope so too,” Alwy said anxiously.

“Well?” Egelric smiled. “Is it here?”

“Well, I guess it is,” Alwy said shyly. “I guess it’s this hill.”

“It’s an admirable hill, Alwy,” Egelric said, his eyes twinkling, “but I’ve seen it before.”

“Seems like a nice hill for building a house or something, don’t it?”

“I thought about building my house here,” Egelric said thoughtfully, remembering.

“How come you didn’t?” Alwy asked.

“Well, in the first place I didn’t want to have to cut down all of those trees over there to see my fields from the house. And second, it’s terribly windy up here. I wanted a more sheltered spot for Elfleda’s garden,” he said softly.

“Oh, I didn’t think of that,” Alwy said miserably. “I guess Gunnie would like a garden.”

“Wait a moment,” Egelric laughed. “Alwy, are you thinking of building up here?”

“Well, I guess I am!” Alwy said eagerly. “His Grace the Duke said I could, and I can fence in those chestnuts and beeches and let the pigs find their own nuts, instead of old Alwy doing it himself! And I guess a little wind is a good thing if you have a lot of pigs!”

“And you have a fine view out over the downs.”

“That’s so!”

“And a south face to keep you warm despite the wind.”

“That’s so!”

“It’s a fine spot for a house, Alwy.”

“So you think I should?”

“Don’t ask me! What does Gunnilda think?”

“She don’t know yet!” Alwy whispered. “I want to surprise her!”

“You want to surprise your wife with a house?” Egelric laughed. “Alwy, Gunnilda knows everything about everybody! How are you going to hide the building of it from her?”

“Well, she don’t come up here, and you can’t see it from the road or even from your farm. The only place you can see it is from the downs and she don’t go out there. You won’t tell her, will you, Egelric?”

“Not I! But you know Gunnilda.”

“I know. But maybe she don’t think me clever enough to do something like this, so she won’t suspect. But, Egelric, I need your help – I don’t know about building a stone house, and I want to give her a stone house like what you made for Father Brandt. A real pretty house with room for the kids. She can’t hardly make breakfast in the morning because them kids is sleeping all over the floor, and with the cats and the dogs too. I never thought when I built our house that kids would take up so much space,” he said, shaking his head.

“What will you do with your old house?” Egelric asked thoughtfully.

“Well, I don’t know. I guess Bertie will get the new house, and young Egelric will be a priest so he don’t need a house, so I can give the old house to Bedwig when he’s a man.”

“I meant in the meantime.”

“Well, I don’t know.”

“Alwy, I have an idea.”

“You always do!” Alwy said eagerly.

“I’m thinking of Aylmer’s youngest boy. He’s looking to get married but he doesn’t have a house yet. Suppose you offered him the use of your old house, just until Bedwig is grown, and in exchange he helped you build your new one this winter? And then he would work, say, two days a week for you, two for the Duke, and three for himself? If His Grace is willing to spare him, of course,” he added with a wink.

Alwy gaped. “Work for me?”

“Why not?” Egelric laughed. “I hardly lift a finger on my own farm these days.”

“But you’re real prosperous.”

“So are you, Alwy!”

“I am?” Alwy breathed.

“Come, Alwy,” Egelric said, clapping him on the back. “I shall even lend you Alfric for the winter – I meant to have him build a stone fence around the lower pasture, but that can wait until next year.”

“You would do that?” Alwy asked, amazed.

“Don’t forget how often my girl is one of the ‘kids sleeping all over the floor,’” he laughed. “I suppose I owe it to Gunnilda. Now, why don’t you show me around? I am certain you already have a headful of ideas.”