Hakon had told her of our sailing with the morning's tide.
But I heard someone singing in the wood, and knew the voice well.
It was Gerda who was wandering, and gathering the red raspberries, and I had half a mind to turn aside and keep beyond her sight.

That thought came too late, however, for the path turned, and I came on her suddenly, and she looked up from the ripe berries she had found alongside the path and saw me.
A flush went across her fair face, and then she greeted me brightly.

I did not know what she had been told of tomorrow as yet, and could not tell from her face whether she knew or not.

So I thought it best to ask.
"Have you heard aught from the king as to your going back to the old home yet, Gerda ?" "Yes," she said, standing still and looking somewhat pitifully at me.

"And he says that it shall be at once.