And Elsalill knew at once that the man was Sir Archie, the leader
of the Scots, who had talked with her on the quay.

As he passed the cabin on his way home to the town, Elsalill was
still standing in the doorway, and she was weeping.

"Why do you weep?" he asked, stopping before her.

"I weep because I have nothing to long for," said Elsalill. "When
I saw you standing upon the rocks and looking out over the sea, I
thought: 'He has surely a home beyond the water, and there he is
going.'"

Then Sir Archie's heart was softened, and it made him say: "It is
many a year since any spoke to me of my home. God knows how it
fares with my father's house. I left it when I was seventeen to
serve in the wars abroad."

On saying this Sir Archie entered the cottage with Elsalill and
began to talk to her of his home.

And Elsalill sat and listened to Sir Archie, who spoke both long
and well. Each word that came from his lips made her feel happy.
But when the time drew on for Sir Archie to go, he asked if he
might kiss her.

Then Elsalill said No, and would have slipped out of the door, but
Sir Archie stood in her way and would have made her kiss him.