God keep ye, Arthur!
Arthur.
God keep ye, dame! [To the Others he explains in an undertone.] ’Tis a witless wight that I encountered in the forest, saying her prayers between an oak and an holly tree!
The Stranger.
Because of your bounty ye gave me alms and proffered me aid when I called after ye as I sat between oak and holly tree I am come to do ye a service, so that ye shall be glad that ye ever showed me goodness!... I would have speech with ye in privity!
[The Others seem about to protest against this.]
Arthur.
Whatsomever ye would say, may not this be said in open audience?
The Stranger.
[Shakes her head.] So would it lose its helping virtue!