Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/78

 to them. I have better tales than that, of champions to wit, and ladies and castles and dragons and the like, that I have heard; some of my kinswomen, some of folk that come to our house at a pinch, for it is a poor house. And some, yea and most and the best, from an old woman who dwelleth in a cot not far from us; and she loveth me and hath learned me much lore; and I will tell thee thereof if thou wilt hearken. I will well, said he, and thanks thou shalt have of me; I would I might give thee some other gift. She said: My tale reward will be that thou shalt tell me over and over the staves thou madest last time we met, till I have them by heart. And other staves shalt thou make for me if thou wilt. Thus is the bargain struck, said the lad, now get thee to the work.

So the little maiden fell to telling him a tale of the Faery, and when it was done he asked for another; but this was a long one, and wore the day down, so that Elfhild must needs depart ere it was done. Then was a talk of when the next meeting should be, and to Osberne nought was near enough save to-morrow. But Elfhild said that it was nought safe, lest aught should wake up her kinswomen to asking of her whereabouts, and again the meeting was appointed for three days thence; but had it not been for the tale, for which something must be risked, Elfhild said that the time between must be a week. So each of the children departed to their houses well pleased.