"
Whereupon Foster-mother wept loudly and prayed that good angels might
protect her darling.
But Head-nurse was more practical, and set about considering how best
that safety might be secured. Who was there who could help? No one of
much use, truly, though every one was brimful of devotion and ready to
give his or her life for the Heir-to-Empire.
"I will kill the first man who dares--" began Old Faithful.
"Aye! The first! But how about the last, old man?" interrupted
Head-nurse. "Force will be of no avail. Askurry hath half an army with
him."
"Harm shall only come to the child through my body," wept Foster-mother,
whereat Head-nurse laughed scornfully.
"Woman's flesh is a poor shield, fool! God send we find better
protection than thy carcass."
"Boo! hoo!" blubbered Meroo the cook-boy. "Lo! Head-nurse! I could kill
a whole army by poisoning their suppers."
Head-nurse nodded faint approval. "Now, there is some sense in that,
scullion, but what about that they may do supperless? If they should
dare----"
"They will not dare," said a clear, sharp voice, and Roy the Rajput lad
stepped forward, a light in his great eyes. "My mother used to say,
'Fear not! A king's son is a king's son always, so be that he forgets
not kingship.'"
Head-nurse stood puzzled for a second, then she caught the meaning of
the lad's words, for she was a clever, capable woman, and had all a
woman's quickness.
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