or two to say to thee before we get on with this day's journey. She looked on him wonderingly, and was somewhat abashed, but turned to hearken to him; and he said, not speaking very glibly: Thou thankest me for thinking of thee, but meseems I have nowise thought of thee enough. I have told thee that we be riding to my house of Brookside, but now I will ask thee if thou hast will to go thither? Why not? she said; I deem not by thy looks and thy speech that thou wilt be hard or cruel with me, or do me wrong in any wise, or suffer others so to do. Nay, by Allhallows, said he; but this I ask. Tell me right out if thou hast any will to go back to thine old home in the Dale. I beseech thee to tell me thy mind hereon; and if thou longest to go back, then will we turn bridle at once and seek to the stead where thou wert born and bred, and there will I say farewell to thee. For what! it may not be for ever; I shall ride to see thee once and again, I promise thee.
Now the Maiden flushed red and the tears gathered in her eyes, and she looked piteous kind on him; but she said: Thou art kind indeed; but that farewell in the Dale needeth not to be, for I have no will to go back home. Such an errand is laid on me that hath made me homeless now; for I must go seeking that which is lost, it may be, wide over the world; and if thou wilt shelter me awhile in Brookside Castle I shall thank thee and bless thee as scarce a man hath yet been thanked since earth was new.
