crone

The crone thought to herself that the youth had made a bad choice, and therefore promised to comply with his wish.

Helga the daughter of Einar was there, but she hung back; nearest of all stood Thurid the crone, listening closely.

Still rocking back and forth, the crone loosened the strings, and opened the bag.

Hospitable in her way, and really glad to see her guests, was the crone.

And the crone handed her visitor a slip of paper on which a few words were written.

But thou: this hour the crone shall know That thou art come, her very foe.

To his excited fancy, the patient persistency of the crone began to assume something of a supernatural character.

Accordingly the crone prepared a bath for him, and when he came out his skin was smooth and fine, without any mark upon it.

“Cronie” is an old friend, “Crone” is an old friend's old wife.

"I'm going; it's upstairs I'm sweeping," growled the crone, retreating.