“We shall sleep well to-night,” said Deirdre, and she burst into tears.
They sat dumb, each feeling as if a chill wind had touched him.
“Forgive me,” said Deirdre. “I shall not complain any more. Let us sit to our meat.”
“I shall eat and eat and eat,” said Ardan. “I am so hungry I could growl over my food.”
“You shall be served first, Ardaneen,” said Deirdre, “and if there is one tender piece you shall have it.”
“Our Buinne is even hungrier than I am; let him have the first piece.”
Deirdre looked kindly at Buinne, but as she looked her eyes widened and she went white to the lips. She spoke to him with a shy smile.
“You will have the first piece, Buinne,” she stammered.
“I shall take what comes,” said Rough-Red Buinne.
Deirdre sank back in her chair.