The Sundering Flood · Chapter
VIII: The Goodman Gets a New Hired Man explained
Osberne returns to Wethermel to find that the goodman has hired a new man named Stephen, a tall, flaxen-haired stranger who claims to have returned from Eastcheaping after his wife died in childbirth.
What happens
Osberne returns to Wethermel to find that the goodman has hired a new man named Stephen, a tall, flaxen-haired stranger who claims to have returned from Eastcheaping after his wife died in childbirth. Stephen, a heavy eater, strikes a bargain with the goodman for modest wages but ample food, earning the nickname Stephen the Eater. When Osberne shows his new bow, Stephen admires it and suggests the lad become the household's hunter. Osberne takes up the role, shooting game with unerring accuracy, and begins to follow Steelhead's advice by exploring along the Sundering Flood upstream.
Themes in this chapter
Community and Kinship
The goodman takes on Stephen as a hired man, and Osberne's hunting provides for the household, strengthening the bonds of the Wethermel community.
Characters to notice
- Osberne Wulfgrimsson
Returns home to Wethermel, shows his new bow, and becomes the household hunter, shooting game with perfect aim.
- Stephen the Eater
A new hired man at Wethermel, tall and flaxen-haired, a heavy eater who befriends Osberne and encourages his hunting.
- Goodman
Hires Stephen the Eater, eyes Osberne's bow with suspicion but is pleased with the game Osberne brings home.
Key passages
“Now when he came home to Wethermel he found tidings there, for the goodman had gotten a new hired man, and he showed him to Osberne, who greeted him well: he was a tall man, mild of aspect and speech, flaxen-haired and blue-eyed, and seemed a stark carle.”
Upon returning to Wethermel, Osberne learned that the goodman had hired a new worker—a tall, gentle-spoken man with flaxen hair and blue eyes, who appeared strong.
Introduces Stephen the Eater as a new member of the household.
“So when the goodman came home this Stephen offered himself to him, and said that he deemed he could do as good a stroke of work as another, and that he was not for any great wage, but he must not be stinted of his meat, whereas he was a heavy feeder.”
When the goodman returned, Stephen offered to work for modest wages but insisted on having plenty to eat, as he had a large appetite.
Establishes Stephen's bargain and his nickname 'the Eater'.
“By my rede, goodman, ye will do well to make thy youngling the hunter to us all, for such bows as this may be shot in only by them that be fated thereto.”
Stephen advised the goodman to make Osberne the household hunter, saying that only those destined for it could shoot such a bow.
Stephen recognizes the bow's special nature and Osberne's fate.