He was nought abashed, but sat up and said: Well, since thou
must needs depart to-morrow, be we merry to-day. And I pray thee
talk much with me, fair child, for sweet and sweet is thy voice to
hearken. Then he arose and said: Now will I fetch thee somewhat to
eke the joy of us both. And he turned therewith and went into the
house.
Birdalone stood there, and was now perplexed and downhearted; for now
the look of the elder scarce liked her, and the children began to
seem to her as images, or at the best not more to her than the
rabbits or the goats; and she rued her word that she would abide
there the night through. For she said to herself: I fear some trap
or guile; is the witch behind this also? for the old man is yet
stark, and though he be foolish at whiles, yet may wizardry have
learned him some guile.
With that cometh out the carle again, bearing a little keg and a
mazer roughly wrought; and he came to Birdalone, and sat down, and
bade her sit by him, and said to her: Maybe I shall hear more of thy
sweet voice when thy sweet lips have been in the cup.
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