olas, true it is: a while ago I felt no
hunger, and had forgotten that men eat; for I was troubled with much
longing, and in doubt concerning my life; but now am I free and happy,
and hungry therewithal."

"Look," she said, pointing up to the heavens, "it is now past two hours
after noon; that is nigh two hours since we left the lawn amidst the
hazels, and thou longest to eat, as is but right, so lovely as thou art
and young; and I withal long to tell thee something of that whereof
thou hast asked me; and lastly, it is the hottest of the day, yea, so
hot, that even Diana, the Wood-wife of yore agone, might have fainted
somewhat, if she had been going afoot as we twain have been, and little
is the risk of our resting awhile. And hereby is a place where rest is
good as regards the place, whatever the resters may be; it is a little
aside the straightest way, but meseems we may borrow an hour or so of
our journey, and hope to pay it back ere nightfall. Come, champion!"

Therewith she led north through a thicket of mingled trees till Ralph
heard water running, and anon they came to a little space about a
brook, grassy and clear of trees save a few big thorn-bushes, with a
green ridge or bank on the other side. There she stayed him and said:
"Do off thy war-gear, knight. There is naught to fear here, less than
there was amidst the hazels." So did he, and she kneeled down and drank
of the clear water, and washed her face and hands therein, and then
came and kissed him and said: "Lovely imp of Upmeads, I have some
bread of last night's meal in my scrip here, and under the bank I shall
find some woodland meat withal; abide a little and the tale and the
food shall come back to thee together." Therewith she stepped lightly
into the stream, and stood therein a minute to let her naked feet feel
the cold ripple (for she had stripped off her foot-gear as she first
came to the water), and then went hither and thither gathering
strawberries about the bank, while he watched her, blessing her, till
he well nigh wept at the thought of his happiness.

Back she came in a little while with good store of strawberries in the
lap of her gown, and they sat down on the green lip of the brook, and
she drew the bread from her scrip and they ate together, and she made
him drink from the hollow of her hands, and kissed him and wept over
him for joy, and the eagerness of her love. So at last she sat down
quietly beside him, and fell to speakin