Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/114

 CHAPTER XIX. THE WINTER PASSES AND ELFHILD TELLS OF THE DEATH OF HER KINSWOMAN.

OW Osberne and Stephen both give rede to the goodman, and bid him live somewhat less niggardly, since not only had they good store of victual and clothes and the like, which had been hoarded a long time, but also the gifts of Waywearer had stood them in good stead; and furthermore, the goodman was much bettered by the spoil of Hardcastle. For he had left much wealth behind him, and chiefly in silver and gold; and all that he had left save his weapons had Osberne given to his grandsire. So the goodman heeded their words and let himself be talked over, and while winter was yet young, and before there was any snow to hinder, he rode with Osberne down the Dale, and looked into many of the steads, and amongst others, where dwelt the damsel who had been paired with Osberne on the day of the mid-winter Cloven Mote. And he thought her fair and sweet, and she received him joyfully and kissed him; but he was scarce so ready for that as he was aforetime, for he deemed she kissed him as a child and not a man. So by hook or by crook the goodman got him six hired folk; three men, two of whom were young, and three women, all young and one comely, one ill-favoured, and the other betwixt and between. It must be said, by the way, that if he had abided the