ding the
elders of the Folk; and when they drew rein, the eldest and most
reverend of these came forth and spake in a cheerful voice, yet
solemnly: "Welcome and thrice welcome to the Seekers after length of
days and happy times, and the loving-kindness of the Folks of the
Earth!"

Then all the elders gathered about them, and bade them light down and
be at rest amongst them, and they made much of them and brought them
into the Mote-house, where-in were both women and men fair and stately,
and the men took Ralph by the hand and the women Ursula, and brought
them into chambers where they bathed them and did off their wayfaring
raiment, and clad them in white woollen gowns of web exceeding fine,
and fragrant withal. Then they crowned them with flowers, and led them
back into the hall, whereas now was much folk gathered, and they set
them down on a dais as though they had been kings, or rather gods; and
when they beheld them there so fair and lovely, they cried out for joy
of them, and bade them hail oft and oft.

There then were they feasted by that kind folk, and when meat was done
certain youths and maidens fell to singing songs very sweetly; and the
words of the songs were simple and harmless, and concerning the
fairness of the earth and the happy loves of the creatures that dwell
therein.

Thereafter as the night aged, they were shown to a sleeping chamber,
which albeit not richly decked, or plenished with precious things, was
most dainty clean, and sweet smelling, and strewn with flowers, so that
the night was sweet to them in a chamber of love.

CHAPTER 16

They Come to the House of the Sorceress

On the morrow the kind people delayed them little, though they sorrowed
for their departure, and before noon were their old way-leaders ready
for them; and the old man and his two grandsons (for such they were)
were much honoured of the simple people for their way-leading of the
Heavenly Folk; for so they called Ralph and Ursula. So they gat them
to the way in suchlike guise as before, only they had with them five
sumpter oxen instead of two; for the old man told them that not only
was their way longer, but also they must needs pass through a terrible
waste, wherein was naught for their avail, neither man, nor beast, nor
herb. Even so they found it as he said; for after the first day's ride
from the town they came to the edge of this same waste, and on the
fourth day were deep in the heart of it: a desert it