"well," said the stranger, "we will neither use force to bring you back to the village, nor will we betray you to the elders. but sit you here awhile, and when you have heard what we shall tell you of the world which we have left, and into which you are going, perhaps you will turn back with us of your own accord. what say you?" added he, turning to his companions. "we have travelled thus far without becoming known to each other. shall we tell our stories, here by this pleasant spring, for our own pastime, and the benefit of these misguided young lovers?"