Through wit and courage I won to the free air at last, and fled hither
straight; and am but just arrived, right poor in purse and raiment,
and poorer still in knowledge of what these dull seven years have
wrought at Hendon Hall, its people and belongings. So please you, sir,
my meager tale is told.'
'Thou hast been shamefully abused!' said the little king, with a
flashing eye. 'But I will right thee- by the cross will I! The king
hath said it.'
Then, fired by the story of Miles's wrongs, he loosed his tongue
and poured the history of his own recent misfortunes into the ears
of his astonished listener. When he had finished, Miles said to
himself.
'Lo, what an imagination he hath! Verily this is no common mind;
else, crazed or sane, it could not weave so straight and gaudy a
tale as this out of the airy nothings wherewith it hath wrought this
curious romaunt. Poor ruined little head, it shall not lack friend
or shelter whilst I bide with the living. He shall never leave my
side; he shall be my pet, my little comrade. And he shall be cured!-
aye, made whole and sound- then will he make himself a name- and proud
shall I be to say, "Yes, he is mine- I took him, a homeless little
ragamuffin, but I saw what was in him, and I said his name would be
heard some day- behold him, observe him- was I right?"'
The king spoke- in a thoughtful, measured voice:
'Thou didst save me injury and shame, perchance my life, and so my
crown. Such service demandeth rich reward.
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