The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Chapter
XXI: How the Wood-Wife Entered the Cot, and a Wonder That Befell Thereon explained
On the sixth day since their last meeting, Birdalone sees Habundia approaching from the wood.
What happens
On the sixth day since their last meeting, Birdalone sees Habundia approaching from the wood. Habundia brings a green hunting-gown for Birdalone and proposes they venture into the wildwood. Birdalone invites her into the cottage, but Habundia hesitates, fearing the witch's influence. She enters only after Birdalone's strong wishing, and a wonder occurs: Habundia shrinks to three feet tall before returning to her full size. They share a meal, then Birdalone dons the new gown and arms herself, and they depart together into the woods.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Autonomy
Birdalone actively chooses to arm herself and follow Habundia into the wildwood, demonstrating her growing independence and agency.
Nature and the Wild
The chapter emphasizes the wildwood as a domain of freedom and power, contrasting with the witch-built cottage, and Habundia's identity as a wood-mother deeply tied to nature.
Characters to notice
- Birdalone
Birdalone welcomes Habundia into her cottage, dons the new green hunting-gown, and arms herself with bow and knife before venturing into the wildwood.
- Habundia
Habundia visits Birdalone's cottage, undergoes a wondrous shrinking and restoration due to Birdalone's love, and then leads Birdalone into the depths of the wildwood.
Key passages
“Now is it all over for this time, and I see how well thou lovest me; and I pray thee love me no less for this wonder thou hast seen in me.”
Habundia reassures Birdalone that the strange shrinking is past and asks her to continue loving her despite the marvel.
Habundia's transformation and plea highlight the theme of love and trust between the two characters.
“Now are these white and smooth legs as bad as the gleam-gown for the lying hid; but it may no better be, and thou must draw thy skirts down and stumble, if needs must be, when we come to the ambushment.”
Habundia jokes that Birdalone's bare legs are as conspicuous as the glittering gown, so she must cover them when stealth is needed.
This playful remark underscores the practical concerns of their woodland journey and the contrast between beauty and concealment.