And the lady Gonde, seeing how sad she was and silent, wept also, saying: “Since our Magtelt stopped singing I have felt more bitterly the chill of winter and old age.”
And Sir Roel made no murmur, but became sullen and pensive, and drank clauwaert all day.
And at times, turning angry, he bade Magtelt sing and be cheerful.
And the maid sang merry lieds to the old man, who then turned joyous again, and Gonde as well.
And they spent all their time before the fire, nodding their heads. And they said: “The nightingale is come back again to the house, and her music makes the fires of spring sunshine stir in our bones.”
And Magtelt, having done singing, would go off to hide herself in a corner and weep for Anne-Mie.
XXIII. Of Toon the Silent.
On the eighth day, the Silent went wolf-hunting.
Following a certain beast he rode into the domain of Halewyn.