Would that the Shield Maids had chosen him to go with that brave company to the bright hall of Odin! But he was only a boy and they did not choose striplings.
Suddenly in a clearing a pin-point of light pricked the darkness.
The desire for human companionship came over him, even though it were that of enemy or outcast.

He staggered to the door and beat on it feebly.

A voice spoke from within, but he did not hear what it said.
Again he beat and again the voice came.

And now his knocking grew feebler, for he was at the end of his strength.
Then the bar was suddenly withdrawn and he was looking inside a poor hut, smoky from the wood-fire in the midst of it.

An old woman sat by it with a bowl in her hand, and an oldish man with a cudgel stood before him.