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Eodwine was at table with Garreth and Harreld when Modtryth and Ginna came into the Mead Hall with trays of food and drink. Eodwine saw that Ginna had got her hand wrapped, which was good.
"Well looka there!" Garreth was half whispering behind him.
"I see her," Harreld said. "In fact, I saw her first."
"I spoke of her first," Garreth shot back.
Eodwine turned about and leveled his gaze at both of the black smithing twins. "She's the daughter of a friend of mine from the War. She's likely not marriagable to the likes of you, being a landholder's daughter. So don't get your hopes up or go about strutting and showing off by word or deed, do you hear?"
"Now Eodwine!" Garreth protested. "What do you think we are? Desperate?"
"Yes," he answered, "that's exactly what the two of you are."
Garreth pulled a face, not having expected to be pinned down so easily by his own words. Then he glanced at his brother, whose eyes were still glued to Ginna. He scowled and smacked Harreld aback of the head.
"Ow! What'd you do that for!" Harreld tried to return the slap but Garreth fended it off with an elbow.
"Didn't you hear the Eorl? None of that leering!"
"Leering! Leering!!" Harreld looked indignant. "I was doing no such thing." He resumed staring, his eyes going dovey. "She's a beauty."
"Ah, that trashes it!" said Garreth. "He's gone moony just like that."
Eodwine turned away and snickered, hoping the twins couldn't see him do it. He raised his hand and called to Modtryth for food and drink. Before long Modtryth, with Ginna in tow, was headed in their direction.
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