And he marvelled that they should
risk drawing the Dalesmen's wrath upon them; whereas they of the Dale
were strong men not easily daunted, albeit peaceable enough if not
stirred to wrath. For in good sooth he had no doubt concerning that
spear, whose it was and whence it came: for that very weapon had
been leaning against the panel of his shut-bed the night he slept on
the Mountain, and all the other spears that he saw there were more or
less of the same fashion, and adorned with silver.
Albeit all that he knew, and all that he thought of, he kept in his
own heart and said nothing of it.
So wore the autumn into early winter; and the Westland merchants came
in due time, and departed without Face-of-god, though his father made
him that offer one last time. He went to and fro about his work in
the Dale, and seemed to most men's eyes nought changed from what he
had been. But the Bride noted that he saw her less often than his
wont was, and abode with her a lesser space when he met her; and she
could not think what this might mean; nor had she heart to ask him
thereof, though she was sorry and grieved, but rather withdrew her
company from him somewhat; and when she perceived that he noted it
not, and made no question of it, then was she the sorrier.
Pages:
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113