[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

She paused to watch Dhrun and Glyneth approach, then gave her head a shake and
returned to work.
As Glyneth and Dhrun neared the gate a plump and pretty woman of mature years
stepped out upon the little porch. "Well then, children, what are you doing so
far from home?"
Glyneth answered: "I'm afraid, mistress, that we're vagabonds. We have neither
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home nor family."
In surprise the woman looked back up the way the two had come.
"But this road leads nowhere!"
"We've just come through the Forest of Tantrevalles."
"Then you bear charmed lives! What are your names? You may call me
Dame Melissa."
"I am Glyneth and this is Dhrun. The fairies sent bees into his eyes and now
he can't see."
"Ah! A pity! They are often cruel! Come here, Dhrun, let me see your eyes."
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Dhrun stepped forward and Dame Melissa studied the concentric rings of gold
and amber. "I know one or two trifles of magic, but not so much as a true
witch, and I can do nothing for you."
"Perhaps you would sell us a bite of bread and cheese," Glyneth suggested.
"We've eaten only plums today and yesterday."
"Of course, and you need not think of payment. Didas? Where are you? We have a
pair of hungry children here! Bring milk and butter and cheese from the dairy.
Come in, dears. Go back to the kitchen and I think we can find something
nice."
When Dhrun and Glyneth had seated themselves at the scrubbed wooden table,
Dame Melissa served them first bread and a rich soup of mutton and barley,
then a tasty dish of chicken cooked with saffron and walnuts, and finally
cheese and juicy green grapes.
Dame Melissa sat to the side sipping a tea brewed from the leaves of lemon
verbena and smiled to watch them eat. "I see that you are both healthy young
persons," she said. "Are you brother and sister?"
"It amounts to that," said Glyneth. "But in truth we're not related. We've
both suffered troubles and we think ourselves lucky to be together, since
neither of us has anyone else."
Dame Melissa said soothingly: "You're now in Far Dahaut, out of the dreadful
forest, and I'm sure things will go better for you."
"I hope so. We can't thank you enough for the wonderful dinner, but we mustn't
intrude upon you. If you'll excuse us, we'll be on our way."
"Whyever so soon? It's afternoon. I'm sure you're tired. There's a nice room
for Glyneth just above, and a good bed in the garret for
Dhrun. You shall have a supper of bread and milk and a sweet-cake or two, then
you may eat apples before the fire and tell me your adventures. Then tomorrow,
when you're well rested, you'll be on your way."
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Glyneth hesitated and looked at Dhrun.
"Do stay," pleaded Dame Melissa. "Sometimes it's lonely here with no one but
crotchety old Didas."
"I don't mind," said Dhrun. "Perhaps you can tell us where to find a powerful
magician, to draw the bees from my eyes."
"I'll give the matter thought, and I'll ask Didas as well; she knows a bit of
everything."
Glyneth sighed. "I'm afraid you'll spoil us. Vagabonds are not supposed to
trouble over good food and soft beds."
"Just one night, then a good breakfast, and you can be on your way."
"Then we thank you again for your kindness."
"Not at all. It gives me pleasure to see such pretty children enjoying my
house. I ask only that you do not molest Dame Didas.
She is very old, and a trifle crabbed even, I am sorry to say, a bit eery. But
if you leave her be, she will not trouble you."
"Naturally, we will treat her with all politeness."
"Thank you, my dear. Now, why do you not go outside and enjoy the flower
garden until supper time?"
"Thank you, Dame Melissa." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]