Jenny: Bird in the Hand 2

Unperturbed, Wulf quoted the trader for what they both know the girl is worth. Scrawny, sickly-looking - "Try selling her elsewhere for a better price," the big Saxon added. One could not get a week's ration of bad raisins on what the girl was worth, just from the sight of her. Currency being inflated and debated the length of Britain, Wulf reached into his belt and brought out a chain of fine silver. Breaking off a link, he held it up for the slaver to see. The hot summer light flashed off the notched curves.

* * * *

I checked out of the Laurel, the Laurel that's in Isca,
I checked out of the Laurel as the primroses were in bloom.
I checked out of the Laurel, the Laurel that's in Isca,
The Laurel that's in Isca, as the primroses were in bloom.

I said good-bye to Mother, to Father in the Forum,
As I checked out of the Laurel the Empire to roam.
I said good-bye to Mother, told Father I'd do him proud,
And not until I was rich as kings would I come marching home.

The Laurel, the Laurel, the old and lovely Laurel,
Where the girl that washed the flagstones used to smile at me.

I came back to the Laurel, (the inn they build in Isca),
I came back to the Laurel, as the primroses turned grey.
I found the Forum empty, and the washer-girl had gone.
I came back to the Laurel as the primroses turned grey.


The Guttersnipe led Firefly along the bend of the Wear and paused, breathless and hot, under the trees. "Just a half hour more," she told the pony, breaking off singing, "and we'll be back into the uplands, thank goodness."