Gwyndoc nodded understandingly, and then absentmindedly began to flick pebbles with finger and thumb at a grasshopper that seemed to stare at them from the path.
“Were you happy or unhappy then?” asked Ygerne.
“I was unhappy then,” answered the old woman. “For the druids took my son to the woods so that the gods would defeat the great Caesar. But they didn’t. The gods deserted us and Caesar stayed on our shores. At first he killed, then he was merciful and ceased to kill. Then he gave presents and many wished him to stay for ever as our god. But he did not give me back my little son. Then at last he sailed away again and took my husband because he was a good smith and loved the horses.”
The story was less remote now, and tears stood in the old woman’s eyes. “I cried for many nights by t
