to tell of," said Roger, "whiles she is foul, whiles very fair,
whiles young and whiles old; whiles cruel and whiles kind.
But note this, when she is the kindest then are her carles the cruellest;
and she is the kinder to them because they are cruel."

Ralph pondered what he said, and wondered if this were
verily the woman whom he had delivered, or some other.
As if answering to his unspoken thought, Roger went on:
"They speak but of one woman amongst them of the Dry Tree,
but in sooth they have many others who are like unto her in one
way or other; and this again is a reason why they may not lay
hands on the very Queen of them all."

Therewithal they came unto the hostel, and found it fair
enough within, the hall great and goodly for such a house,
and with but three chapmen-carles therein. Straightway they called
for meat, for it was now past noon, and the folk of the house
served them when the grooms had taken charge of Falcon.
And Roger served Ralph as if he were verily his man.
Then Ralph went to his chamber aloft and rested a while,
but came down into the hall a little before nones, and found
Roger there walking up and down the hall floor, and no man else,
so he said to him: "Though thou art not of the Burg,
thou knowest it; wilt thou not come abroad then, and show it
me? for I have a mind to learn the ways of the folk here."

Said Roger, and smiled a little: "If thou commandest me as my lord,
I will come; yet I were better pleased to abide behind; for I am
weary with night-waking and sorrow; and have a burden of thought,
one which I must bear to the end of the road; and if I put it down I