But Bow-may took the babe, which was both fair and great, and set it
on the knees of the Bride, and said:
'Thus saith Face-of-god: "Friend and kinswoman, well-beloved
playmate, the gift which thou badest of me in sorrow do thou now take
in joy, and do all the good thou wouldest to the son of thy friend.
The ring which I gave thee once in the garden of the Face, give thou
to Bow-may, my trusty and well-beloved, in token of the fulfilment of
my behest."'
Then the Bride kissed Bow-may again, and fell to fondling of the
child, which was loth to leave Bow-may.
But she spake again: 'To thee also, Folk-might, I have a message
from Face-of-god, who saith: "Mighty warrior, friend and fellow, all
things thrive with us, and we are happy. Yet is there a hollow place
in our hearts which grieveth us, and only thou and thine may amend
it. Though whiles we hear tell of thee, yet we see thee not, and
fain were we, might we see thee, and wot if the said tales be true.
Wilt thou help us somewhat herein, or wilt thou leave us all the
labour? For sure we be that thou wilt not say that thou rememberest
us no more, and that thy love for us is departed.
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