If Teja knew her thoughts, he would imagine those the children of the netherworld, and how the original Athalwin would fish the boat this cowboy-hatted Athalwin made from the waves, and show it to his parents, Witichis and Rauthgundis (after whom this Athalwin's older siblings are named). And how so may other children that starved or were slain in the wars would find these boats, and think of the living children that carry on the Ostrogoths in their stead.

But he does not, so he can't lose himself in melancholy if poetic fancies.

Instead, he helps the children light the tiny lamps or tallow-candles in the boats, from the fire-pot that Adalgoth has brought.