Chapter 42

cannot be reproduced in English. The name was given to a public informer who sued for a fourfold penalty.

_a slip in the gesture._ Bede (Op. Colon., MDCXII, vol. i, p. 132 _b_) says, 'When you say ten, you will place the nail of the forefinger against the middle joint of the thumb, when you say thirty, you will join the nails of thumb and forefinger in a gentle embrace.' Here the MSS. read _adperisse_, which suggests _aperuisse_. But _aperuisse_ does not naturally express the gesture described by Bede, and Helm's emendation _adgessisse_ seems necessary.