ash sapling which grew anigh the door, that the child might be safe
the while she went about her work in acre and mead.

But as for that matter of changing of aspect, the maiden came to know
thereafter that the witch durst not go into the wood in the same skin
as that which she wore at home, wherefore she had changed it for the
journey to Utterhay, and changed back again in the night-tide before
she arose.



CHAPTER IV. OF THE WAXING OF THE STOLEN CHILD



This little one, who is henceforth called Birdalone, though the witch
called her but seldom so, nor indeed by any name, dwelt there betwixt
the water and the wood, and saw none save the said witch-wife, who,
as aforesaid, fed her well, but scarce meddled with her else for a
long while; so she wandered well-nigh as she had will, and much in
the wood; for she had no fear thereof, nor indeed of aught else save
of the dame. She learned of the ways and the wont of all the
creatures round about her, and the very grass and flowers were
friends to her, and she made tales of them in her mind; and the wild
things feared her in no wise, and the fowl would come to her hand,
and play with her and love her. A lovely child she was, rosy and
strong, and as merry as the birds on the bough; and had she trouble,
for whiles she came across some ugly mood of the witch-wife, she bore
it all as lightly as they.