covered but by a lap of the green gown which her needle was painting.

But as she sat there intent on her work, and her head bent over it,
and it was now at the point of high noon, she heard as if some
creature were going anigh to her; she heeded it not, deeming that it
would be but some wandering hind. But even therewith she heard one
say her name in a soft voice, and she leapt up trembling, deeming at
first that it would be the witch come to fetch her: but yet more
scared she was, when she saw standing before her the shape of a young
woman as naked as herself, save that she had an oak wreath round
about her loins.

The new-comer, who was now close to her, smiled on her, and said in a
kind and sweet voice: Fear nought, Birdalone, for I deem thou wilt
find me a friend, and it is not unlike that thou wilt need one ere
long. And furthermore, I will say it, said she smiling, that since I
am not afraid of thee, thou needest not be afraid of me. Said
Birdalone, she also smiling: True it is that thou art nought
fearsome to look on. The new-comer laughed outright, and said: Are
we not well met then in the wildwood? and we both as two children
whom the earth loveth. So play we at a game. At what game? said
Birdalone. Spake she of the oak-wreath: This; thou shalt tell me
what I am like in thine eyes first, because thou wert afraid of me;
and then when thou art done, I will tell thee what thou seemest to
me.

Quoth Birdalone: For me that will be hard; for I have nought to
liken thee to, whereas save this sight of thee I have seen nought
save her that dwelleth in the House by the Water, and whom I serve.
Nay, said the other, then will I begin, and tell thee first whatlike