Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/51

 have run? said the lad. For fear of me, said the other. Said Osberne: I was somewhat afeard when I first saw thee, and thou with the grey byrny and the gleaming helm; but then I saw that thou wert no ill man, and I feared thee no longer. Withal I was fain to see thee again; for thou art goodly and fair to behold, and I am fain to remember thee. Said the man: Even so have others said ere now. Were they women? said Osberne. Thou art brisk and keen, youngling, said the man. Yes, they were women: but it was long ago. Yet thou lookest no old man, said Osberne. I have seen old men; they be nought like to thee. Heed thou not that, said the helmed man: but tell me, how old a man art thou? Said Osberne: When this April is three days old I shall be thirteen years old. Said the man of the waste: Well, thou art stalwart for thy years, and that liketh me well, and meseems that we shall be friends hereafter: and when thou art a grown man I shall seem no older to thee; nay, we shall be as brothers. Belike I shall see thee again before long; meanwhile, I give thee this rede: when thou mayest seek thou to the side of the Sundering Flood, for meseemeth that there lieth thy weird. Now there is this last word to be said, that I came hither today to see thee, and in token thereof I have brought thee a gift. Canst thou shoot in the bow aught? Said Osberne: There is one at home, and my grandsire hath bent it for me at whiles, and taught me how to shoot somewhat; but I am little deft therein.