But most of the women on the quays were young and merry. They
began to talk to Elsalill and asked her why she was so silent and
sorrowful.

Then Elsalill began to tell them of the terrible thing that had
befallen her no more than three nights ago. She spoke of the three
robbers who had broken into the house by the smoke-hole in the
roof and murdered all who were near and dear to her.

As Elsalill told her tale a black shadow fell across the table at
which she worked. And when she looked up three fine gentlemen
stood before her, wearing broad hats with long feathers and velvet
clothes with great puffs, embroidered in silk and gold.

One of them seemed to be of higher rank than the others; he was
very pale, his chin was shaven, and his eyes sat deep in his head.
He looked as though he had lately been ill. But in all else he
seemed a gay and bold-faced cavalier, who walked on the sunny
quays to show his fine clothes and his handsome face.

Elsalill broke off both work and story. She stood looking at him
with open mouth and staring eyes. And he smiled at her.

"We are not come hither to frighten you, mistress," said he, "but
to beg that we too may listen to your tale."

Poor Elsalill! Never in her life had she seen such a man. She felt
she could not speak in his presence; she merely held her peace and
cast her eyes upon her work.