He gave
large gifts to the Abbey of St. Bertin; and had masses sung for the souls
of all whom he had slain, according to a rough list which he furnished,--
bidding the monks not to be chary of two or three masses extra at times,
as his memory was short, and he might have sent more souls to purgatory
than he had recollected. He gave great alms at his door to all the poor.
He befriended, especially, all shipwrecked and needy mariners, feeding and
clothing them, and begging their freedom as a gift from Baldwin. He
feasted the knights of the neighborhood, who since his baresark campaign,
had all vowed him the most gallant of warriors, and since his accession of
wealth, the most courteous of gentlemen; and so all went merrily, as it is
written, "As long as thou doest well unto thyself, men will speak well of
thee."
So he would have fain stayed at home at St. Omer; but he was Robert's man,
and his good friend likewise; and to the wars he must go forth once more;
and for eight or nine weary months Torfrida was alone: but very happy, for
a certain reason of her own.
At last the short November days came round; and a joyful woman was fair
Torfrida, when Martin Lightfoot ran into the hall, and throwing himself
down on the rushes like a dog, announced that Hereward and his men would
be home before noon, and then fell fast asleep.
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