They did
obeisance to Sir Hugh, and he greeted them, and then without more ado
he kissed Birdalone and went his ways with his way-leaders, but
Birdalone turned back to the house and her friends.
Next day Birdalone brought her three she-friends unto the Trysting
Oak, and showed them to the wood-mother, and she was kind and soft
with them; and both Aurea and Viridis were shy with her, and as if
they feared her, but Atra was frank and free, and spake boldly. And
thereafter when Birdalone went to meet her wood-mother, Atra would go
with her if she were asked, and at last would go alone, when she
found that Habundia was fain of her coming, so that there were not
many days when they met not; and the wood-wife fell to learning her
the lore of the earth, as she had done aforetime with Birdalone; and
Atra waxed ruddier and merrier of countenance, whereof was Birdalone
right glad, and Arthur yet more glad, and the others well content.
So wore the time till Hugh had been gone for twenty and three days,
and as they walked the meadows anigh the house about undern, they saw
a knight riding down the bent toward them, and presently they knew
him for Hugh, and turned and hastened to meet him, so that he was
straightway amidst them, and on foot.
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