'
They all praised his bounty and thanked him for his goodwill: so he
arose to go to his treasury, and bade certain of his folk go along
with him to bear in the gifts. But ere he had taken three steps down
the hall, Face-of-god prevented him and said:
'Kinsman, if thou hast anywhere a hauberk somewhat better than folk
are wont to bear, such as thine own hand fashioneth, and a sword of
the like stuff, I would have thee give them, the sword to my brother-
in-arms Wood-wise here, and the war-coat to my sister Bow-may, who
shooteth so well in the bow that none may shoot closer, and very few
as close; and her shaft it was that delivered me when my skull was
amongst the axes of the Dusky Men: else had I not been here.'
Thereat Bow-may reddened and looked down, like a scholar who hath
been over-praised for his learning and diligence; but the Alderman
smiled on her and said:
'I thank thee, son, that thou hast let me know what these our two
friends may be fain of: and as for this damsel-at-arms, it is a
little thing that thou askest for her, and we might have found her
something more worthy of her goodliness; yet forsooth, since we are
all bound for the place where shafts and staves shall be good cheap,
a greater treasure might be of less avail to her.
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