So then they went into the house together, and entered into
the self-same chamber, where of old the Lady of Abundance had
sickened for fear of the Sorceress sitting naked at her spell-work.
Great joy they made together, and the wardens set meat and drink
before the guests, and they ate and drank and were of good cheer.
But the elder who had brought them from Chestnut-dale said:
"Dear friends, I have told you that these two young men are my
grand-children, and they are the sons of this man and woman whom ye see;
for the man is my son. And so it is, that amongst us the care
of the Quest of the Well at the World's End hath for long been
the heritage of our blood, going with us from father to son.
Therefore is it naught wonderful, though I have been sundry times
at this house, and have learned about the place all that may
be learned. For my father brought me hither when I was yet a boy;
that time it was that I saw the last man of whom we know for sure
that he drank of the Water of the Well, and he was that old
hoar man like unto me, but, as I said, far weaker in all wise;
but when he came back to us from the Well he was strong and stalwart,
and a better man than I am now; and I heard him tell his name
to my father, that he was called the Sage of Swevenham."
Ralph looked on Ursula and said: "Yea, father, and it was
through him that we had our lore concerning the way hither;
and it was he that bade us abide your coming in the rock-house
of the Vale of Sweet-chestnuts.
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