those who have dwelt in the House year-long: so
ever is there someone to keep all things trim. But as to strangers, I
have never in my life seen any Seeker of the Well herein, save once,
and that was an old hoar man like to me, save that he was feebler in
all wise than I be."

Now Ralph heard him talking, yet noted his words but little; for it was
with him as if all the grief of heart which he had penned back for so
long a while swelled up within him and burst its bounds; and he turned
toward Ursula and their eyes met, and she looked shy and anxious on him
and he might no longer refrain himself, but put his hands to his face
(for they had now drawn rein at the garth-gate) and brake out a
weeping, and wept long for the friend whose feet had worn that path so
often, and whose heart, though she were dead, had brought them thither
for their thriving; and for love and sorrow of him Ursula wept also.

But the old man and his grandsons turned their heads away from his
weeping, and got off their horses, and went up to the house-door,
whereby were now standing a carle and a quean of their people. But
Ralph slowly gat off his horse and stood by Ursula who was on the
ground already, but would not touch her, for he was ashamed. But she
looked on him kindly and said: "Dear friend, there is no need for
shame; for though I be young, I know how grievous it is when the dead
that we have loved come across our ways, and we may not speak to them,
nor they to us. So I will but bid thee be comforted and abide in thy
love for the living and the dead." His tears brake out again at that
word, for he was but young, and for a while there was a lull in the
strife that had beset his days. But after a little he looked up, and
dashed the tears from his eyes and smiled on Ursula and said: "The
tale she told me of this place, the sweetness of it came back upon me,
and I might not forbear." She said: "O friend, thou art kind, and I
love thee."

So then they joined hands and went through the garth together, and up
to the door, where stood the wardens, who, when they saw them turning
thither, came speedily down the path to them, and would have knelt in
worship to them; but they would not suffer it, but embraced and kissed
them, and thanked them many times for their welcome. The said wardens,
both carle and quean, were goodly folk of middle age, stalwart, and
kind of face.

So then they went into the house together, and entered into the
self-