me not. And this I pray thee the more, because after one of these
grim times then mostly doth she meddle the less with me for a while,
wherefore I shall be the freer to come hither. Habundia kissed her
and embraced her, and said: Valiant art thou for a young maiden, my
child, and I would not refrain thee more than a father would refrain
his young son from the strokes of the tilt-yard. But I pray thee to
forget not my love, and my sorrow for thy grief.

Therewith they sundered, and it was drawing toward evening.
Birdalone sought catch, and brought home venison to the dame, who was
yet blithe with her, and spake that evening as she eyed her: I
cannot tell how it is, but thou seemest changed unto me, and lookest
more towards thy womanhood than even yesterday. I mean the face of
thee, for wert thou stripped, lean enough I should see thee,
doubtless. But now look to it, I beseech thee, to be both deft and
obedient, so that I may be as kind to thee as I would be, and kinder
than I have been heretofore.



CHAPTER XVII. THE PASSING OF THE YEAR INTO WINTER



Wore the days now, till on a night of October, toward the end
thereof, the witch went a-night-tide to the Sending Boat, and
Birdalone followed her as erst. This time the night was wild and
windy, but the moon was high aloft and big, and all cloud save a few
flecks was blown from off the heavens; so that the night was as light
as could be; and even at the tree-hung creek it was easy to see all