and spake: "Sad it is for the mother that bore thee that thou art not
in her house, wherein all things would be kind and familiar to thee.
Maybe thou art seeking for what is not. Or maybe thou shalt seek
and shalt find, and there may be naught in what thou findest, whereof to
give thee such gifts as are meet for thy faithfulness and valiancy.
But in thine home shouldst thou have all gifts which thou mayest desire."

Then was she silent awhile, and then spake: "Yet must I needs
say that I would that thine home were in Goldburg."

He smiled sadly and looked on her, but with no astonishment,
and indeed he still scarce thought of her as he said:
"Lady and Queen, thou art good to me beyond measure.
Yet, look you! One home I had, and left it; another I
looked to have, and I lost it; and now I have no home.
Maybe in days to come I shall go back to mine old home;
and whiles I wonder with what eyes it will look on me.
For merry is that land, and dear; and I have become sorrowful."

"Fear not," she said; "I say again that in thine home shall all things
look kindly on thee."

Once more she sat silent, and no word did his heart bid him speak.
Then she sighed and said: "Fair lord, I bid thee come and go in this
house as thou wilt; but whereas there are many folk who must needs see me,
and many things are appointed for me to do, therefore I pray thee to come
hither in three days' space, and meanwhile I will look to the matter
of thy search, that I may speed thee on the way to Utterness, which is
no great way from Utterbol, and is the last town whereof we know aught.
And I will write a letter for thee to give to the lord of Utterbol,