Part 12 (1/2)

”Babbling fools! to think that they Can get a posy in this way!

Say they yes, or say they no, Noses cut no more will grow.

See, I ask you honestly: Give a posy, sir, to me!”

The Gardener was so pleased to find a straightforward and honest little boy, that he took his scissors and cut a most beautiful bunch of flowers, which he gave the boy with a smile. The boy said, ”Thank you, sir, very much!” and went away delighted.

THE KING'S LESSON

Once upon a time there lived a very good King, whose name was G.o.dfrey. Of course, when a man is King, everybody is ready to call him good; but this King really was good. He used to hold courts of justice for people to come to when they had a quarrel; and he decided all the cases so wisely that n.o.body durst bring an unjust cause before him. So after a while the result was, that the courts became empty; all the rustle and bustle was quiet, the wigs and gowns were hung up on pegs, and as dusty as dusty could be; and n.o.body had any quarrels at all.

”What a blessing!” thought King G.o.dfrey to himself. ”Now we have a little peace. And they say it's all my doing! I wonder if I am really as good as people make me out. Suppose I try to see?” No sooner said than done with this King. He asked one and he asked another; he begged and prayed them to tell him of his faults, so that he might mend them; but no, they said they really could not tell him of his faults, when he had none to tell of. He tried in the palace, he tried in the city; high and low, to and fro, it was just the same: all praise and no blame.

”Well, upon my word,” thought the King, ”I had no idea I was such a good fellow. Still, who knows what they say behind my back? Happy thought! I'll disguise myself, and that will soon show me the truth.” So he dressed himself like a traveller, and got a carriage and pair, and drove all over the country, asking everybody what they thought of the King. Wonder of wonders! they said the same behind his back as they did to his face! That must have been a very nice country to live in, but I am sure I cannot tell where it is.

Now in such a strange country as that, strange things will happen; and so it turned out that, as our King was driving along, he came to a narrow lane sunk between two steep banks, with only just room for the carriage; and right in the middle of this lane another carriage met him. There they stood, both of them, and neither would budge. Our King did not know who was in that carriage, but I will tell you who it was. This was the King of the next country, who was also a good king as kings go, though not so good as the first; and he had got the same idea into his head, that he would wander about in disguise, and find out what people thought of him. Everybody had a good word for him too, it seems; but if he found no one to pick faults in him before, here was one now, as you shall see.

”Get out of the way!” said the driver of the other carriage.

”Get out of the way yourself!” said King G.o.dfrey's man. ”I have a King inside,” said he; you see, he knew who the disguised traveller was, and he thought there was no need to hide it now, when it might save him trouble.

”If you have one King, I have another!” said the other man; and imagine how astonished King G.o.dfrey's coachman was to hear that.

”Oh dear, oh dear,” he said, ”what is to be done? Both Kings! How old is your King?” he added suddenly, hoping, you see, that the younger might be willing to give way.

”Fifty.”

”Fifty! So is mine! And how rich is he? ”