me of the tale was piteous enough, for the two
kinswomen, who were by no means old, for the eldest was only of thirty
summers, were somewhat hard with the child and right careless of her,
as shall be shown afterwards.

But after a little she broke off and said: "But Osberne, dear, these
be no fair tales for thee, though thou art kind to hearken 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 tomorrow. 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 hence;
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.

Chapter XII. Of a Guest Called Waywearer

Now hereafter all went the same way, that from time to time they met
on either side the Sundering Flood, save that Osberne came not ever in
his fair-dyed raiment, but was mostly clad in russet; but on Elfhild's
birthday he was clad in his best. Otherwise nought befel to tell of.
Whiles either of the children were ailing, whiles Elfhild was kept at
home by her kinswomen, and so they failed each other, but never by
their own will. The one who came to the trysting-place and missed the
other was sore grieved, and in special Osberne, whose child's heart
swelled nigh to bursting with sorrow mingled with wrath,