When he was disarmed, the one brought him a right rich robe, and after
meat the two maidens sit beside him and make him right great cheer.
Thereupon behold you, a dwarf that issueth forth of a chamber, and he
holdeth a scourge. And he cometh to the damsels and smiteth them over
their faces and their heads.
"Rise up," saith he, "ye fools, ill-taught! Ye make cheer unto him
whom you ought to hate! For this is Messire Gawain, King Arthur's
nephew, by whom was your uncle slain!"
Thereupon they rise, all ashamed, and go into the chamber, and Messire
Gawain remaineth there sore abashed. But their father comforteth him
and saith: "Sir, be not troubled for aught that he saith, for the dwarf
is our master: he chastiseth and teacheth my daughters, and he is wroth
for that you have slain his brother, whom you slew the day that Marin
slew his wife on your account, whereof we are right sorrowful in this
castle."
"So also am I," saith Messire Gawain, "But no blame of her death have I
nor she, as God knoweth of very truth."