It would have been of no use for us to take the boat and cross, for Dalfin told us that we needs must have horses, and maybe a guard when we would go to his place, which was a long day's ride from the shore.

We were well cared for here, and it was a pleasant place wherein to wait.
In the evening the old superior sent for us again, and sitting once more in the sheltered glen, he taught us, taking up his tale where we had left it, after making me speak the old tongue of his youth to him for a little while.

He was a wonderful teacher, clear and patient, and it would have been strange if we had not learned from him.
Yet I cannot say that I seemed to learn much.

I clung to the old faith of my fathers, and that was not wonderful.

But Gerda learned, and loved all that she heard.