for a man to be afraid of; for two of them were old and feeble, and
the third was dark and sad, and drooping of aspect: it seemed as if
they had ridden far and fast, for their spurs were bloody and their
horses all a-sweat.

Hallblithe hailed them kindly and said: "Ye are way-worn, and maybe
ye have to ride further; so light down and come into the house, and
take bite and sup, and hay and corn also for your horses; and then if
ye needs must ride on your way, depart when ye are rested; or else if
ye may, then abide here night-long, and go your ways to-morrow, and
meantime that which is ours shall be yours, and all shall be free to
you."

Then spake the oldest of the elders in a high piping voice and said:
"Young man, we thank thee; but though the days of the springtide are
waxing, the hours of our lives are waning; nor may we abide unless
thou canst truly tell us that this is the Land of the Glittering
Plain: and if that be so, then delay not, lead us to thy lord, and
perhaps he will make us content."

Spake he who was somewhat less stricken in years than the first:
"Thanks have thou! but we need something more than meat and drink, to
wit the Land of Living Men. And Oh! but the time presses."

Spake the sad and sorry carle: "We seek the Land where the days are
many: so many that he who hath forgotten how to laugh, may learn the
craft again, and forget the days of Sorrow."

Then they all three cried aloud and said: