Derette followed Cumina through what seemed to her endless corridors opening into further and further corridors, till at last she asked in a tone of astonishment—
“How can you ever find your way?”
“Oh, you learn to do that very soon,” said Cumina, laughing, as she opened the door of a long, low chamber. “Now, you must tread softly here, and speak very respectfully.”
Derette nodded acquiescence, and they went in.
The room was lined with presses from floor to ceiling. On benches which stood back to back in its midst, several lengths of rich silken stuffs were spread out; and on other benches near the windows sat two or three girls busily at work. Several elder ladies were moving about the room, and one of them, a rather stout, hard-featured woman, was examining the girls’ work. Cumina went up to her.
“If you please, Hagena,” she said, “is there any where an old gown which it would please you to bestow on this girl, who has asked the boon?”
Hagena straightened herself up and looked at Derette.
“Is she the child of one of my Lord’s tenants?”
“No,” answered Derette. “My mother’s house is her own.”
“Well, if ever I heard such assurance! Perchance, Madam, you would like a golden necklace to go with it?”