But presently
the lad turned and saw her coming with her tail of little beasts, and
he cried out a great Oh and ran toward her straightway, and the
maiden after him; and he held out his arms to have the rabbit she
bore, and she gave it to him smiling, and said: Lo now! here be
pretty playmates; but look to it that ye be soft and kind with them,
for they are but feeble people. So the younglings fell to sporting
with their new friends, and for a little forgat both goats and golden
lady; but the goats drew nigh, and stood about them bleating, nor
durst they run at the rabbits to butt them, because of Birdalone and
the little ones.
There then stood the slim maiden, tall and gleaming above her little
flock; and her heart was full of mirth and rest, and the fear was all
forgotten. But as she looked up toward the grey walls, lo, new
tidings to hand! For she saw an old man with a long white beard
slowly coming toward them: she started not, but abode his coming
quietly, and as he drew nigh she could see of him that he was big and
stark, and, old as he was, not yet bowed with his many years.
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