Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/111

 CHAPTER XVIII. OSBERNE TELLS ELFHILD OF THE KILLING OF HARDCASTLE.

UT two days after this was the tryst-day for Osberne to see his over-water friend, and he went soberly enough, and came to the water-side and found her over against him; and she asked him of tidings. Tidings enough, said he, for now have I done a deed beyond my years, a deed unmeet for a child; to wit, I have slain a man. O, she said, and didst thou sleep after the deed? Said Osberne: Yea, and dreamed never a deal. But I must tell thee that I was in my right. Said Elfhild: What did he to thee that thou must slay him? Osberne said: He came swaggering into our house and would take all to him, and put all of us to the road or hold us in thraldom. She said: But tell me, how didst thou slay him? Was he drunk or asleep? Nay, said he; I was champion for my grandsire, and the robber had a sword in his fist, and I another, and we fought, and I overcame him. Said the maiden: But was he mannikin or a dastard, or unskilled in weapons? Spake Osberne, reddening: He was a stark carle, a bold man, and was said to be of all prowess.

She said nothing awhile, but stood pale and downcast. And he said: What is this, playmate? I looked to have much praise from thee for my deed. Dost thou know that this man was as the