Old Araim stops working for a moment at his net; his head drops on his chest.
"What is the matter, folks? You seem to be in a brown study! Do you fear, like Madalen, that danger may threaten Karadeucq just because, on such a tempestuous night as this, he wishes to see a Korrigan?"
"I am not thinking of the fairies; I am thinking of this frightful storm, Jocelyn. I read to you and your children the narrative of our ancestor Joel, who lived about five hundred and odd years ago, if not in this very house, at least in the neighborhood of where we now are. I was thinking that on a somewhat similar stormy night, Joel and his son, both greedy after stories like the inquisitive Gauls that they were--"
"Did the trick of stopping a traveler at the pass of Craig'h, binding him fast, and carrying him home to tell stories--"
"And the traveler happened to be the Chief of the Hundred Valleys--a hero!"
"Oh! Oh! How your eyes sparkle as you speak, Karadeucq."
"If they sparkle, grandfather, it is because they are moist. Whenever I hear you speak of the Chief of the Hundred Valleys tears come to my eyes."
"What is the matter with Erer, father? The dog growls between his teeth and pricks up his ears."
"Grandfather, do you hear the watchdog bark?"
"Something must be going on outside of the house--"
"Alas! If it is the gods who wish to punish my son for his audacious wishes, their anger is swift--Karadeucq, come near me."
"What! Madalen--there you are weeping and embracing the boy, as if really misfortune threatened him. Come, be more sensible!"
"Do you not hear the dogs barking louder and louder? And there is Erer now running to the door. There is something wrong going on outside--"
"Fear not, mother; it is some wolf prowling about. Where is my bow?"
"Dear Madalen, be not in such fear for your son, nor you my sweet Roselyk for your brother. Perhaps it is better not to challenge the hobgoblins and fairies on a stormy night, but your fears are idle. There is no wolf prowling about here; if there were, Erer would long ago have bitten off the panel of the door and rushed to the encounter of the unwelcome guest--"
"Father is right--it may be a stranger who lost his way."
"Come, Kervan, come brother, let's to the gate of the yard."