r against my kinsman's."

Therewith he led Hallblithe down from the rock while Hallblithe said to
him: "What! art thou also dead that thou hast a grave here?"

"Nay, nay," said Fox, smiling, "am I so evil-conditioned then? I am no
older than thou art."

"But tell me," said Hallblithe, "wilt thou also wax evil as thou growest
old?"

"Maybe not," said Fox, looking hard at him, "for in my mind it is that I
may be taken into another house, and another kindred, and amongst them I
shall be healed of much that might turn to ill."

Therewith were they come across the little meadow to a place where was a
cave in the rock closed with a door, and a wicket window therein. Fox
led Hallblithe into it, and within it was no ill dwelling; for it was dry
and clean, and there were stools therein and a table, and shelves and
lockers in the wall. When they had sat them down Fox said: "Here
mightest thou dwell safely as long as thou wouldst, if thou wouldst risk
dealings with the old carle. But, as I wot well that thou art in haste
to be gone and get home to thy kindred, I must bring thee at dusk to-day
close up to our feast-hall, so that thou mayst be at hand to do what hath
to be done to-night, so that we may get us gone to-morrow. Also thou
must do off thy Raven gear lest we meet any in the twilight as we go up
to the house; and here have I to hand home-spun raiment such as our war-
taken thralls wear, which shall serve thy turn well enough; but this thou
needst not do on till the time is at hand for our departure; and then I
will bring thee away, and bestow thee in a bower hard by the hall; and
when thou art within, I may so look to it that none shall go in there, or
if they do, they shall see nought in thee save a carle known to them by
name. My kinsman hath learned me to do harder things than this. But now
it is time to eat and drink."

Therewith he drew victual from out a locker and they fell to. But when
they had eaten, Fox taught Hallblithe what he should do in the hall that
night, as shall be told hereafter. And then, with much talk about many
things, they wore away the day in that ancient cup of the seething rock,
and a little before dusk set out for the hall, bearing with them
Hallblithe's gear bundled up together, as though it had been wares from
over sea. So they came to the house before the tables were set, and the
Puny Fox bestowed Hallblithe in a bower which gave into the buttery, so
that it was easy to go st