During all this time the old man had been looking on in amusement. Now he spoke to the cat, which was lazily basking itself before the fire.
“Take him away,” ordered the old man.
The cat got up slowly and climbed to the table. Then, taking the sheep by the long hair of its throat, the cat led it down and out of the room.
The four heroes looked at one another in surprise and astonishment. Dermot picked up his shield and his weapons. “Come,” he said to his companions. “We shall not stay under a roof where a host makes game of his guests.”
“Sit down,” said the old man. “You have been testing your strength in an impossible feat. You will not feel badly over your failure when I tell you that the sheep you tried to move was the World, itself. To lift it is a task no man can accomplish. The cat could master the animal easily, because the cat was Old Age, and even the world cannot withstand its force. Come, let me show you to your beds.”
The heroes were somewhat soothed by the explanations and followed the host into another room, where they found their beds prepared for them. Later, the young girl came to the door and looked from one to the other of the men.
“I have a gift,” she said. “It goes to but one of you.”
“Let me have it,” said Conan. “If ever a man needed a gift, it is I.”
“Give it to me,” said Oscar. “I am the strongest.”
Gaul and Dermot said nothing. These men were wise. They knew that they were in an enchanted house, and that the girl would give the gift to whom she chose.