CHAPTER VII. BIRDALONE COMETH TO GREENFORD, AND HEARS OF THE WASTING
OF THE CASTLE OF THE QUEST
Now came Birdalone riding into Greenford an hour before sunset on a
day of the latter end of May; and she had no doubt but to go straight
to the hostelry, and that the less as she had not abided there
before, as hath been told. To them that served her she told the tale
of her vow, that she might not do off her sallet that seven days; and
some trowed her, and some deemed her a woman, but whereas she seemed
by her raiment to be of condition none meddled with her. Moreover,
as she told her intent to ride on betimes in the morning, it mattered
the less unto them: withal she gave out that she came from foreign
parts, as sooth it was.
In the evening she sat in the hall, and with her were three chapmen
travelling with their wares, and two good men of the town sitting;
and they were talking together, and were courteous and blithe, and
amidst their talk they threw many a glance at the slim and fair young
squire, as Birdalone seemed, and were fain to speak unto him, but
refrained them for courtesy's sake.
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