But I
warn you that three blows, without cause, will send her back to me."
While the old man smiled, and Gwyn renewed his vow, the new wife began
to count by fives--one, two, three, four, five.
At the end of each count drawing in a fresh breath, there rose up, out
of the lake, as many sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, and horses, as she
had counted.
So it happened that the lad, who went out of his mother's cottage, in
the morning, a poor boy, came back to her, a rich man, and leading by
the hand the loveliest creature on whom man or woman had ever looked
upon.
As for the old man and the other daughter, no one ever saw them again.
Gwyn and his wife went out to a farm which he bought, and oh, how
happy they were! She was very kind to the poor. She had the gift of
healing, knew all the herbs, which were good for medicine, and cured
sick folk of their diseases.
Three times the cradle was filled, and each time with a baby boy.
Eight long and happy years followed. They loved each other so dearly
and were so happy together, that Gwyn's vow passed entirely out of his
mind, and he thought no more of it.
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