My kinsman hath learned me to do harder things than this.

But now it is time to eat and drink." Therewith he drew victual from out a locker and they fell to.

But when they had eaten, Fox taught Hallblithe what he should do in the hall that night, as shall be told hereafter.

And then, with much talk about many things, they wore away the day in that ancient cup of the seething rock, and a little before dusk set out for the hall, bearing with them Hallblithe's gear bundled up together, as though it had been wares from over sea.

So they came to the house before the tables were set, and the Puny Fox bestowed Hallblithe in a bower which gave into the buttery, so that it was easy to go straight into the mid-most of the hall.