A great yellow cat came and rubbed itself, tail in air, against my legs, and I stroked it, and it purred pleasantly.
Then I became aware that over against us across the fire sat the most terrible-looking old witch that I had ever seen or dreamed of, elbows on knees and chin on hand, staring at us.

And when I saw her I forgot the cat, and could not take my eyes off her.
So for long enough we sat, and she turned her bright eyes from one of us to the other, letting them rest steadily on each in turn.

And at last she spoke.
"What do Earl Wulfnoth and Redwald the thane seek ?" "Read me what is in the time to come.

What shall be the outcome of this strife for England ?" the earl said plainly, but in a low voice.
"Time to come is longer than I can read," said the old woman, never stirring or taking her eyes from the earl.

"I can only see into a few years, and I cannot always say what I know of them." Then she turned her gaze on me, and stretched out her hand and pointed at me.