It may be the last time I may teach the heathen.

Aye, I have done it in days long ago." I spoke to Gerda then, telling her what the old father wished, and she smiled at the thought.
"We have naught to do," she said, "and if it will give him pleasure we may as well bide here." So we sat down on the bank in the sun amid the quiet of the woodland, and listened.

The wood flowers carpeted the ground, and Gerda plucked those that were in reach and played with them while the father began his words.

Presently he saw that Gerda was paying no heed, and he bade me translate, hearing that she did not understand.

And by that time he spoke the old tongue of his youth, and the Erse way of speaking was forgotten.
Then he told us things which every Christian child knows; but which were new and wonderful and very good to hear, to us two.