Rewards and Fairies - Penn State University

Rudyard Kipling
Pevensey. “I know how dooms near he broke us at Santlache. ‘Hugh heaved the old man up and he smiled.
‘“Sir Hugh, you are excused the question. But you, valiant, ‘“Good comfort,” said Harold. “Tell me again! I have been
loyal, honourable, and devout barons, Lords of Man’s justice somewhat punished.” ‘Rahere hallooed it once more into his
in your own bounds, do you mock my fool?”
ear as the head rolled. We heard him sigh, and Nigel of Ely
‘He shook his bauble in the very faces of those two barons stood forth, praying aloud.
whose names I have forgotten. “Na—Na!” they said, and ‘“Out! I will have no Norman!” Harold said as clearly as I
waved him back foolishly enough.
speak now, and he refuged himself on Hugh’s sound shoul-
‘He hies him across to staring, nodding Harold, and speaks der, and stretched out, and lay all still.’
from behind his chair.
‘Dead?’ said Una, turning up a white face in the dusk.
‘“No man mocks thee, Who here judges this man? Henry ‘That was his good fortune. To die in the King’s presence,
of England—Nigel—De Aquila! On your souls, swift with and on the breast of the most gentlest, truest knight of his
the answer!” he cried.
own house. Some of us envied him,’ said Sir Richard, and fell
‘None answered. We were all—the King not least—over- back to take Swallow’s bridle.
borne by that terrible scarlet-and-black wizard-jester.
‘Turn left here,’ Puck called ahead of them from under an oak.
‘“Well for your souls,” he said, wiping his brow. Next, shrill They ducked down a narrow path through close ash plantation.
like a woman: “Oh, come to me!” and Hugh ran forward to The children hurried forward, but cutting a corner charged
hold Harold, that had slidden down in the chair.
full-abreast into the thorn-faggot that old Hobden was carry-
‘“Hearken,” said Rahere, his arm round Harold’s neck. “The ing home on his back. ‘My! My!’ said he. ‘Have you scratted
King—his bishops—the knights—all the world’s crazy chess- your face, Miss Una?’
board neither mock nor judge thee. Take that comfort with ‘Sorry! It’s all right,’ said Una, rubbing her nose. ‘How many
thee, Harold of England!”
rabbits did you get today?’
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