But now it were better that I never go under a roof
again. And she took her arms about Birdalone and clipped her
lovingly; and glad was Birdalone to feel her so strong and solid
again.
Then they sat to the board and ate a simple meal of bread and cheese
and wood-berries, and drank milk withal; and the wood-mother was
merry, and the smiles danced over her face as she looked on Birdalone
with all loving-kindness, so that Birdalone wondered what was toward;
but so light-hearted and happy she grew, that she deemed it might be
nought save good.
But when they had eaten, then Birdalone did off her old coat, which
she said was meet enough for her daily toil, and did on the fair
green hunting-gown and the sandal-shoon, and girt her with the fair
girdle which Habundia had fetched her, and drew up the laps of her
gown therethrough till her legs were all free of the skirts. And
Habundia looked on her, and laughed and said: Now are these white
and smooth legs as bad as the gleam-gown for the lying hid; but it
may no better be, and thou must draw thy skirts down and stumble, if
needs must be, when we come to the ambushment.
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