[Primrose Bolger]

Sassy was still lying on her belly, her head hung over the edge of the ravine, when the old man in grey made his appearance. ‘I have come to help you,’ he said. He was sort of raggedy looking, his long hair and beard a bit tangled; his grey robes perhaps made greyer by the fact that they were travel-worn and stained. Part of her was thinking he was just some other sort of ruffian who would take advantage of them and part of her was wanting to trust him even though he was a Big Folk. His eyes were bright and sparkly and there was the hint of a smile at the corner of his lips. And his voice, well it seemed very kind.

Now Sassy, she could hear her Gammer saying. Never judge a person by his clothes. The kindest heart might have been through some rough patches and their clothes be a little tattered. But underneath they’re the same good person as afore.

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, thinking. ‘Well, maybe I’ll give him a chance. Maybe we can trust him.’ She narrowed her eyes and took a long look at Sondo. More than I feel about you right now. she thought to herself with a tinge of regret.

‘I think we should listen to him,’ she yelled down to her brother. ‘Maybe he can show us the way out of the forest. And maybe he should take a look at Bingo and his ribs.’ She looked toward the old fellow thinking that if the others weren’t going to let him help them out, then maybe she could get him to help her get home . . .