He now proceeded to comfort his own face with a wash,
and while he was at it his adopted child seated himself at the table
and prepared to fall to. Hendon despatched his ablutions with
alacrity, then drew back the other chair and was about to place
himself at table, when the boy said, indignantly:
'Forbear! Wouldst sit in the presence of the king?'
This blow staggered Hendon to his foundations. He muttered to
himself, 'Lo, the poor thing's madness is up with the time! it hath
changed with the great change that is come to the realm, and now in
fancy is he king! Good lack, I must humor the conceit, too- there is
no other way- faith, he would order me to the Tower, else!'
And pleased with this jest, he removed the chair from the table,
took his stand behind the king, and proceeded to wait upon him in
the courtliest way he was capable of.
When the king ate, the rigor of his royal dignity relaxed a
little, and with his growing contentment came a desire to talk. He
said:
'I think thou callest thyself Miles Hendon, if I heard thee
aright?'
'Yes, sire,' Miles replied then observed to himself, 'If I must
humor the poor lad's madness, I must sire him, I must majesty him, I
must not go by halves, I must stick at nothing that belongeth to the
part I play, else shall I play it ill and work evil to this charitable
and kindly cause.'
The king warmed his heart with a second glass of wine, and said:
'I would know thee- tell me thy story. Thou hast a gallant way with
thee, and a noble- art nobly born?'
'We are of the tail of the nobility, good your majesty.
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