shook his head and spake softly: "In these wastes and wilds are
many such-like places, where of old time the ancient folks did worship
to the Gods of the Earth as they imagined them: and whereas the lore
in this book cometh of such folk, this is no ill place for the reading
thereof. But if ye fear the book and its writers, who are dead long
ago, there is yet time to go back and seek the Well without my helping;
and I say not but that ye may find it even thus. But if ye fear not,
then sit ye down on the grass, and I will lay the book on this most
ancient table, and read in it, and do ye hearken heedfully."

So they sat down side by side, and Ralph would have taken Ursula's hand
to caress it, but she drew it away from him; howbeit she found it hard
to keep her eyes from off him. The Elder looked on them soberly, but
nowise in anger, and presently began reading in the book. What he read
shall be seen hereafter in the process of this tale; for the more part
thereof had but to do with the way to the Well at the World's End, all
things concerning which were told out fully, both great and small.
Long was this a-reading, and when the Sage had done, he bade now one,
now the other answer him questions as to what he had read; and if they
answered amiss he read that part again, and yet again, as children are
taught in the school. Until at last when he asked any question Ralph
or the maiden answered it rightly at once; and by this time the sun was
about to set. So he bade them home to his house that they might eat
and sleep there.

"But to-morrow," said he, "I shall give you your last lesson from this
book, and thereafter ye shall go your ways to the Rock of the Fighting
Man, and I look not for it that ye shall come to any harm on the way;
but whereas I seem to-day to have seen the foes of Utterbol seeking
you, I will lead you forth a little."

So they went home to the house, and he made them the most cheer that he
might, and spake to them in friendly and pleasant mood, so that they
were merry.

When it was morning they went again to the ancient altar, and again
they learned lore from the Elder, till they were waxen wise in the
matters of the Well at the World's End, and long they sat and hearkened
him till it was evening again, and once more they slept in the house of
the Sage of Swevenham.

CHAPTER 7

An Adventure by the Way

When morrow dawned they arose betimes and did on their worldly raiment;
and when the