So that, he perceiving it, his voice was the clearer and
sweeter for the inward joy he felt, as he said:
'Alderman, meseemeth it is now time that we bring our Guests into the
House of our Fathers; for since they are in warlike array, and we are
no longer living in peace, and I am now War-leader of the Dale, I
deem it but meet that I should have the guesting of them. Moreover,
when we are come into our House, I will bid thee look into thy
treasury, that thou may'st find therein somewhat which it may
pleasure us to give to our Guests.'
Said Iron-face: 'Thou sayest well, son, and since the day is now
worn past noon, and these folk are but just come from the Waste,
therefore such as we have of meat and drink abideth them. And surely
there is within our house a coffer which belongeth to thee and me;
and forsooth I know not why we keep the treasures hoarded therein,
save that it be for this cause: that if we were to give to our
friends that which we ourselves use and love, which would be of all
things pleasant to us, if we gave them such goods, they would be worn
and worsened by our use of them. For this reason, therefore, do we
keep fair things which we use not, so that we may give them to our
friends.
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