little heed to the things about him. For whatever he thought of stra

house, whom he greeted kindly and she him again. He bade her bring the washing-water, and she did so and washed his feet and his hands. She was a fair maid enough, as were most in the Dale, but he heeded her little; and when she was done he kissed not her cheek for her pains, as his wont was, but let her go her ways unthanked. But he went to his shut-bed and opened hi

t wont to wear such attire, save on the feasts and high

is it? Hast thou been wedded there,

than myself. Now as to my raiment, needs must I keep it from the moth. And I am weary withal, and this kirtle is light and

ke the image of a God? and hath she not bidden thee thus to worship her to-ni

e the Gods and the Fathers. Nor saw I

shook his head; but a

or the wood

-mane angrily, k

to see the Westland merchants: after all, wilt thou not go hence wi

o mind to it, fosterer; c

long, and muttered: 'To the wood wilt thou go to-morro

ace greeted his son and said to him: 'Thou hast not hit the time to do on thy gay raiment, for the Bride wi

And as for my raiment, it is well; it is fo

mind not to go down to the Plain and the Cities: 'For,' said he, 'the morrow of to-morrow shall the merchant

Nay, father, it may not be: fear not, thou shalt see

few could mow a match with him in the hay-month and win it; or fell trees as certainly and swiftly, or drive as straight an