Thereafter they had no more to say of staying, though at the time I could not tell what the words which wrought this change might be.

Without another word they took Bertric's arms and mine and Gerda's little pack, and started for the shore, and as they went the old man smiled as if content.

Then he bent toward us.
"Go, my children," he said; "you have no moment to waste longer.

It has been good to speak with you." Now I set that which he had given me in Gerda's hand.

It was a little black crucifix carven of the bog oak by one of the brothers who was skilful at that work.