some five-and-twenty winters, trimly and strongly built; short-
skirted she was and clad as a hunter, with a bow in her hand and a
quiver at her back: she unslung a pouch, which she emptied at Wild-
wearer's feet of a leash of hares and two brace of mountain grouse;
of Face-of-god she took but little heed.

Said Wild-wearer: 'This is good for to-morrow, not for to-day; the
meat is well-nigh on the board.'

Then Gold-mane smiled, for he called to mind his home-coming of
yesterday. But the woman said:

'The fault is not mine; she told me of the coming guest but three
hours agone.'

'Ay?' said Wild-wearer, 'she looked for a guest then?'

'Yea, certes,' said the woman, 'else why went I forth this afternoon,
as wearied as I was with yesterday?'

'Well, well,' said Wild-wearer, 'get to thy due work or go play; I
meddle not with meat! and for thee all jests are as bitter earnest.'

'And with thee, chief,' she said, 'it is no otherwise; surely I am
made on thy model.'

'Thy tongue is longer, friend,' said he; 'now tarry if thou wilt, and
if the supper's service craveth thee not.'

She turned away with one keen look at Face-of-god, and departed