urther forth
Than when the child
Meets the Cold Iron."

And there he stood, in clear starlight, with a new, heavy, shining
slave-ring round his proud neck.

'"Is this how it goes?" he asked, while the Lady Esclairmonde cried.

'"That is how it goes," I said. He hadn't snapped the catch home yet,
though.

'"What fortune does it mean for him?" said Sir Huon, while the Boy
fingered the ring. "You who walk under Cold Iron, you must tell us and
teach us."

'"Tell I can, but teach I cannot," I said. "The virtue of the Ring is
only that he must go among folk in housen henceforward, doing what they
want done, or what he knows they need, all Old England over. Never will
he be his own master, nor yet ever any man's. He will get half he gives,
and give twice what he gets, till his life's last breath; and if he lays
aside his load before he draws that last breath, all his work will go
for naught."

'"Oh, cruel, wicked Thor!" cried the Lady Esclairmonde. "Ah, look, see,
all of you! The catch is still open! He hasn't locked it. He can still
take it off. He can still come back. Come back!" She went as near as she
dared, but she could not lay hands on Cold Iron. The Boy could have
taken it off, yes. We waited to see if he would, but he put up his hand,
and the snap locked home.

'"What else could I have done?" said he.

'"Surely, then, you will do," I said. "Morning's coming, and if you three
have any farewells to make, make them now, for, after sunrise, Cold Iron
must be your master."

'So the three sat down, cheek by wet cheek, telling over their farewells
till morning light. As good a boy as ever lived, he was.'

'And what happened to him?' asked Dan.

'When morning came, Cold Iron was master of him and his fortune, and he
went to work among folk in housen. Presently he came across a maid
like-minded with himself, and they were wedded, and had bushels of
children, as the saying is. Perhaps you'll meet some of his breed, this
year.'

'Thank you,' said Una. 'But what did the poor Lady Esclairmonde do?'

'What _can_ you do when Asa Thor lays the Cold Iron in a lad's path? She
and Sir Huon were comforted to think they had given the Boy good store
of learning to act and influence on folk in housen. For he _was_ a good
boy! Isn't it getting on for breakfast time? I'll walk with you a
piece.'

When they were well in the centre of the bone-dry fern, Dan nudged Una,
who stopped and put on a boot as