The Flame-Flower — 47

in the meadows by the fringe of the forest,
Morddec came out from among the trees
greeting him, and linked his arm in Evan’s,
and so conversed with him.

Evan was a mild and kindly man, and he
did not repulse his cousin, hating him less
than others did, for all that Morddec had
often tried to harm him; so he talked with
him.

But there were those who stood in the
fields at their labour ; and these saw the two
conversing, and pointed at them, saying, “It
is true! Evan holds communion with the son
of the wolf-woman. He is an evil man!”

All in the township heard of this, and
talked of it, and said, ‘This man is not fit
to be our head-man. He is in league with
the evil spirits of the forests!”

So all men began to shun Evan, and to
fear him; and his freemen drew away from
him; and the serfs who tilled his fields,
tended his flocks and herds, and sat at his
board, began to depart one by one, going
to other masters; until there were few of
them left.