And,
crossing the glade, he rode boldly up to the door and knocked.
The hut was very small and was made of wattle and daub. A faint line of
smoke was coming from a hole in the roof. The knock with the end of
Humphrey's stick was a vigorous one. Nevertheless it went so long
without answer that he knocked again, and this time with better
success. The door opened slowly a little way, and through the aperture
thus made an old and withered face looked out.
"What wilt thou?" asked a cracked, high voice.
"Entrance and shelter for the night," replied Humphrey, promptly and
concisely.
The door opened a little wider and the man within stepping outside, his
person was revealed. He was of medium height and spare, and he wore a
long gray tunic of wool reaching to his knees. Beneath this garment his
lean legs were bare, while on his feet he wore shoes of skin which
reached to the ankle, and which were secured by thongs. Such as he Hugo
and Humphrey had often seen, but never before a face like his, in which
craftiness and credulity were strangely mingled. For several minutes he
stood there, first scrutinizing Humphrey and then Hugo.
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