Yet we deemed that he that should lead
thee away might abide with us for a moon or two. But now let all
this be, since if thou art not to bear children to the kindreds of
Silver-dale, yet shalt thou bear them to their friends and fellows.
And now choose what gift thou wilt have of us to keep us in thy
memory.'
She said: 'The memory of my people shall not fade from me; yet
indeed I ask thee for a gift, to wit, Bow-may, and the two sons of
Wood-father that are left since Wood-wicked was slain; and belike the
elder and his wife will be fain to go with their sons, and ye will
not hinder them.'
'Even so shall it be done,' said Folk-might, and he was silent a
while, pondering; and then he said:
'Lo you, friends! doth it not seem strange to you that peace
sundereth as well as war? Indeed I deem it grievous that ye shall
have to miss your well-beloved kinswoman. And for me, I am now grown
so used to this woman my sister, though at whiles she hath been
masterful with me, that I shall often turn about and think to speak
to her, when there lie long days of wood and waste betwixt her voice
and mine.
The Sun-beam laughed in his face, though the tears stood in her eyes,
as she said: 'Keep up thine heart, brother; for at least the way is
shorter betwixt Burgdale and Silver-dale than betwixt life and death;
and the road we shall learn belike.
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