she were unheedful she might come to raise an evil storm about her.
Wherefore she took this rede at the last, that she would keep all
hidden in her own breast till she should see Habundia again; and
meanwhile she might steal down thither from time to time to see if
the thing still abode there; which she might the easier do by
swimming if she chose her time heedfully, and go thither from Rock
Eyot, which now and again she visited.



CHAPTER XI. OF BIRDALONE'S GUILT AND THE CHASTISEMENT THEREOF



By this she was come back to the sandy bight, and the sun was
westering; and she looked up toward the house and saw that it was the
time of their evening meal, for the blue smoke of the cooking fire
was going up into the air. So she went thither speedily, and entered
gay of seeming. The witch looked on her doubtfully, but presently
fell to speaking with her graciously as yesterday, and Birdalone was
glad and easy of mind, and went about the serving of her; for always
she ate after the dame; and the mistress asked her of many matters
concerning the house, and the gathering of stuff.

So came the talk on the fishing of the brook that ran before their
door, and how the trouts therein were but little, and not seldom none
at all; and even therewith came these words into Birdalone's mouth,
she scarce knew how: My lady, why do we not fish the lake, whereas
there be shoal places betwixt us and the eyots where lie many and
great fish, as I have seen when I have been swimming thereover? And