Take your slinking brat away and weep together! My son
and I go forth to meet the King as he comes from hunting, and to
welcome him kingly!" She caught her boy to her with a magnificent
gesture; he flung his little arm about her, and laughing loudly
they went off together.
The tension relaxed a little when they were out of sight. The
women knew that, since Dwaymenau had refused to take the Queen's
meaning, she would certainly not carry her complaint to the King.
They guessed at her reason for this forbearance, but, be that as
it might, it was Certain that no other person would dare to tell
him and risk the fate that waits the messenger of evil.
The eldest lady led away the Queen, now almost tottering in the
reaction of fear and pain. Oh, that she had controlled her
speech! Not for her own sake - for she had lost all and the
beggar can lose no more - but for the boy's sake, the unloved
child that stood between the stranger and her hopes. For him she
had made a terrible enemy. Weeping, the boy followed her.
"Take comfort, little son," she said, drawing him to her
tenderly.
Pages:
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237