` She and I sat talking a little apart , and at first we thought the harpers had come back , for the Great Hall was filled with a rushing noise of music . De Aquila leaped up ; but there was only the moonlight fretty on the floor . ' `` Hearken ! '' said Hugh . `` It is my sword , '' and as he belted it on the music ceased . ' `` Over Gods , forbid that I should ever belt blade like that , '' said De Aquila . `` What does it foretell ? '' ' `` The Gods that made it may know . Last time it spoke was at Hastings , when I lost all my lands . Belike it sings now that I have new lands and am a man again , '' said Hugh . ` He loosed the blade a little and drove it back happily into the sheath , and the sword answered him low and crooningly , as -- as a woman would speak to a man , her head on his shoulder . ` Now that was the second time in all my life I heard this Sword sing . ' ... ` Look ! ' said Una . ` There 's Mother coming down the Long Slip . What will she say to Sir Richard ? She ca n't help seeing him . ' ` And Puck ca n't magic us this time , ' said Dan . ` Are you sure ? ' said Puck ; and he leaned forward and whispered to Sir Richard , who , smiling , bowed his head .
` But what befell the sword and my brother XXXXX I will tell on another time , ' said he , rising .
Dan Hall Hastings Hugh Mother Richard Slip crooningly first second