high-voiced man and said: "It is my will that
each one of we three should say something, be it long or short, to
make the folk of Wethermel glad. For they have treated us wayfarers as
though we were lords and kings, and their words go to their hearts.
Now I will that thou, mother, begin, and that I make an end of this
saying."

Then he sat down, and the carline said: "I am all the more willing to
this, as meseemeth I can tell you a tale such as ye have never heard
the like of, and which will move every heart of you. And yet I must
pray your patience, as belike it may be somewhat long for a tale of
one night's hall-glee: and on this night must the tale be begun and
ended. Hearken then!"

Chapter LIV. The Carline Beginneth Her Tale

There was an old woman, yet not cripple, who dwelt in a stead beside a
great river, which none might cross, either by bridge or ford or
ferry. But she dwelt not alone, neither was the house her own: for
with her abode a damsel young of years, who was the owner of the said
house, but had no kindred, for father and mother and all else had
passed away from her. Therefore it is like that the Carline came to
dwell with her because she loved the Maiden, and would serve her and
do good to her. And no wonder was that, for not only was the Maiden
now grown so beauteous that she was the pearl of all beauty, but also
she was merry and kind, and loving as might be. So that none that saw
her but must love her if they had any good in them.

Now ye will ask, since it was so with her, was there no young man who
was drawn into the net of her love. But I must tell you that the stead
where these twain dwelt was lonely, and there was but little recourse
of folk thither. Yet I say not but that there was more than one young
man of the dwellers thereby who thought it better than good to come to
the house and sit and talk with her, and would have kissed and
caressed her had they durst. But they durst not, for not one of them
touched her heart; and though she was kind and friendly with every one
of them, there was nought in her words or her mien by which they might
anywise deem that she would suffer the toys of love from them. Sooth
to say, the Maiden had a love, a fair youth and stalwarth, and a
glorious man, and many were the words they had spoken together, but
never had her hand touched his hand, nor his lips her lips; because
betwixt these two was a river such as are few upon the earth,
unbridged, unford