s on the first of those days. It was full spring now; I had found wintergreen and milfoil already, and the chaffinches had come (I knew all the birds). Now a

ere bent over as if drinking from his own belly? But all that he did only that he might look up under his brows and watch me; and the whole tree shook with his silent laughter when he saw how all my thoughts were running away with me. There was a rustling everywhere in the woods, beasts sniffing, birds calling

ht come." And Iselin would lead

guard; keep watch; I will let t

that I may understand. And when she comes, my heart knows all, and n

g," she says, with

ain, red and refreshed, as if it had been t

she speaks, clo

must le

nd her face is flushed still; her face is tender and

out from under t

have you don

answ

id you see? I ha

you did," he says

goes off with him, full of rejoicing from top to toe. And whither

l came from herding goats; she fastened her stocking and hummed a tune and looked around. But where was her flock? And what was she doing in the woods at midnight? A

d at her, and I saw how slight and young

ou come fro

mill," she

ve been doing at the

the woods so late?" I said

ghed, a

o young-I a

was lying by at least two years, and was only

said, "and tel

g, by my side, and told m

I ask

iette, and has he ever

said, smi

many

as si

mes?" I aske

she answe

er to me

do it? Was i

whispered