Sigefrith admits to being an old fool

“My, my, old man – you’re in a merry mood this morning,” Alred said as Sigefrith strolled in, whistling a jaunty tune.

Sigefrith picked up his sword and shield. “You had better beware, old man, for I feel like a fifteen-​​year-​​old today.”

“Jupiter! Even your back?”

“Oh, not my back, now that you mention it…” Sigefrith winced.

“What then?”

“Alas, my heart!”

“Oh, dear!”

“Do you remember, Alred?” he asked eagerly. “How you can’t stop thinking about when you will see her again? How you feel a bit queasy whenever she’s in the room? And how she catches you looking at her, and you feel like an ass, so you try to say something clever and only end up looking more like an ass?”

“I remember,” he sighed. “A grave malady.”

“Don’t look so disappointed in me,” Sigefrith frowned. “I thought you might be a little happy for me. Is it because you think it’s too soon? You know, Alred,” he said gravely, “I loved my wife. But in a manner of speaking, she died years ago.”

“I know, Sigefrith. It isn’t that.”

“What then? Do you even know who I mean?”

“Forgive me if I err, but it is Eadgith, is it not?”

“It is,” he smiled bashfully. “You won’t tell anyone, will you? Not even Matilda?”

“I always keep a king’s secrets.”

“I had to tell someone, Alred, and I thought I could tell you. But you don’t seem at all pleased.”

“Oh, Sigefrith, is it right?”

“Right? I don’t know – is it wrong? Look at Leofric and Leila.”

“I know, I know – never mind.”

“You think she can’t possibly care for an ugly old villain like me, don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t say that…”

“I wonder that myself. Damn! I’m only an old fool making an ass of himself, but you’ll let me, won’t you? For as long as it lasts? I haven’t felt like this in twenty years.”

“Listen, old man – I’m happy if it makes you happy, but I can’t believe you will have anything but grief out of it in the end. However, you are a grown man, whatever age you feel. Only know that I do not approve, and I shall not help you in this, nor shall I interfere. And I do not care to talk about it.”

“Damn,” Sigefrith swore softly.

“Don’t look at me like that, old man. I feel as if I had just kicked a puppy. Look, we have swords, we have shields. Let us hack at each other for a while and relieve ourselves thusly. I’m still your friend, even if you are an old fool making an ass of himself. I simply don’t care to know about it.”