But tell me, deemest thou surely that thou canst find it
again? Yea, surely, mother, said Birdalone; I am wood-woman enough
for that; and now I will do all thy will. And therewith she stepped
out lightly on to the greensward and sought up the stream till she
found a smooth-grounded pool meet for her bath, and when that was
done, she fetched the victual and came back to the wood-wife; then
they two sat down together, and ate and drank while the water rippled
at their feet. But when they were done, Birdalone gat her into the
cave again, and kissed the sleeping man fondly, and came forth
lightly and stood a moment before the wood-wife, and said: Tell me
this at least, mother, when shall he be there? To-morrow quoth the
wood-wife; and, for my part, I would keep thee within doors and abide
him there, lest there be trouble; for he may not yet be as strong as
the strongest. Birdalone hung down her head and answered not, but
said presently: Farewell, wood-mother, and be thou blessed. Then
she took up her bow and betook her lightly to the woodland way, and
the wood-wife stood looking at her till the thicket had hidden her,
and then turned back and went into the cave.
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