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nor a-MY THUMB RELEASED. 171
" And von, fair maid ? Will yon return him to his
mother, and his home I " asked the king.
"Oh, yes. I did not want him, any way," bega-
Hhoda hastily ;
and then fearing to be rnde, added hesitatingly,
' ; Though I was very much obliged to you, sir
for giving him to me."
" My poor gifts seem unfortunate to-day, but it is as
well/' replied Lancelot, looking at the queen, who wocld
have spoken ;
but the king wa? already saying to hi
attendant :
u Let a handful of broad pieces be given to the dwarC
and see him safely beyond the town ;
and you, my Lancelot,
go get thee ready for at least
and return right speedily."
the end of the fleas',
Bowing reverently, but without other reply, Lancelot
withdrew from the royal presence, and though the
revel lasted far into the night, he did not appear again,
either at the feast or the dance which followed it.