Five out of these six were
old men, our guide being the youngest, and two of them were very
old, with long, white beards. One of these two came forward as they
neared us, and spoke for the rest, greeting Dalfin first, as their
prince, with all respect, though not at all in the humble way in
which he had first been hailed.
"It is our good fortune," he said, "that we are able to shelter
you. It has been our sorrow that up till this time those strangers
who have come from the sea have needed nothing from us but the last
rites. We are all unused to guests, and you will forgive us if we
know not how to treat them rightly. But what we can do we will."
He waved his hands toward the huts, and said no more. Dalfin
thanked him, and after he had heard, he paid no more heed to us,
but turned to our guide.
"Brother Phelim," he said wearily, "see you to all that may be
done. The care must be yours, as was the first welcome. I do not
know why you wandered so far at this hour."
"Because I thought there might be poor folk in need, father," said
Phelim meekly. "Moreover, I am shepherd today."
The old man waved his hand as if to say that the excuse was enough,
and with that turned and went his way, leaning on the arm of the
other ancient brother, the three who had stood behind them making
way reverently.
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