I obeyed her, and found myself wonderfully refreshed.

Then she drew near the fire an old-fashioned couch that was in the cottage, and making me lie down upon it, sat at my feet, and began to sing.

Amazing store of old ballads rippled from her lips, over the pebbles of ancient tunes; and the voice that sang was sweet as the voice of a tuneful maiden that singeth ever from very fulness of song.

The songs were almost all sad, but with a sound of comfort.

One I can faintly recall.