It was the Shepherds who were to lead the way; and after them were
arrayed the men of the Vine and the Sickle; then they of the Steer,
the Bridge, and the Bull; and lastly the House of the Face, with old
Stone-face leading them. The Sun-beam was to journey along with the
House of the Steer, which had taken her in as a maiden of their
blood; and though she had so much liefer have fared with the House of
the Face, yet she went meekly as she was bidden, as one who has
gotten a great thing, and will make no stir about a small one.
Along with her were Wood-father and Wood-mother, and Wood-wise, now
whole of his hurt, and Wood-wont, and Bow-may. Save Bow-may, they
were not very joyous; for they were fain of Silver-dale, and it irked
them to leave it; moreover, they also had liefer have gone along with
the House of the War-leader.
Last of all went those people of the once thralls of the Dusky Men
who had cast in their lot with the Burgdalers, and they were
exceeding merry; and especially the women of them, they were
chattering like the stares in the autumn evening, when they gather
from the fields in the tall elm-trees before they go to roost.
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