Part 18 (2/2)
XIX: THE RED KING'S VISIT
”That is a fine story!” cried Harold, clapping his hands after the Red King had finished telling the tale of the Little Bear. ”I wish I could remember all the tales that I read, and tell them as well as you do, Your Majesty!”
Red Rex looked pleased. ”It is a tale that, when I am not at war, I tell often to my little daughter,” he said. ”She likes all kinds of stories, but especially those of countries different from our own.”
”Then she ought to hear the Tales of Kisington!” cried Harold.
”So I think,” mused Red Rex. ”I would that you could read them to her, even as you have read them to me, Harold.”
”Perhaps some day that may be,” answered Harold. ”But meantime Your Majesty may hear our tales and tell them to your little Princess when you return. She will like your way of telling them better than reading from a book, I know.”
”Yes, I must read those tales again, at your library,” said the Red King. ”I must study them well, so that I can tell them without losing the point of each, as I am p.r.o.ne to do. My little Hope will be glad.
Heretofore, I have never had time enough to read her as much as she craved.”
”The library will welcome you,” said Harold. ”I can answer for that. It would rather have you inside its doors reading than outside battering down the statues and the gla.s.s! Will Your Majesty come with me now and visit the Town of Kisington under the flag of truce?”
”That will I,” answered Red Rex.
Forth then went Harold and the Red King to the gates of Kisington. Side by side they went, with the flag of truce between them, borne by a big man-at-arms. After them followed a guard of the Red King's men; but these remained behind when the great gate swung open to admit Harold and his royal guest.
There were no soldiers to be seen anywhere in the streets of Kisington.
It seemed a town wholly at peace. The Lord Mayor and the Librarian were waiting to receive them, and crowds of people thronged the street to catch a glimpse of the War-Lord, who for nearly a week had been besieging their city without firing a shot since that first day. Harold recognized among the crowd the faces of many of his school-mates, and presently, when he found the opportunity he beckoned to his chums, Robert and Richard, who were in the front ranks.
”Keep close to me,” Harold whispered to them. ”By and by I dare say you will have a chance to speak with Red Rex himself.”
Robert and Richard needed no second hint to keep close at Harold's heels. Proudly they stepped along, one on either side of their friend, behind the Red King and the Lord Mayor who followed the Librarian and the bearer of the flag of truce. To the marketplace they went, the other school children trotting along in the rear of the little procession, and gazing with almost as much pride and awe at their lucky comrades as at the dreaded enemy, Red Rex. Indeed, the whole Town of Kisington seemed moving in the wake of these six most important personages.
What conversation took place between Red Rex and the Lord Mayor was never recorded. But it seemed to grow gradually pleasanter and pleasanter. By the time they had reached the steps of the library, their faces were wreathed in smiles and they beamed at each other like old friends.
At the door of the library the Librarian turned and, with a wave of his hand, said to Red Rex,--”Welcome, Your Majesty, to the treasure-house of Kisington.”
”Glad am I to enter these doors,” replied the Red King courteously. ”For here, I believe, live the wonderful books which during these past days have been giving me much pleasure.” He laid his hand on the shoulder of Harold and smiled. One would hardly have recognized the face of the grim War-Lord who had begun the siege so savagely. ”I would fain see those friendly books in their own home,” he went on.
”That you shall do, Your Majesty,” said the Librarian; ”for Kisington is so proud of her treasures that she is ever glad to welcome a stranger to the enjoyment of them. Is it not fortunate, Your Majesty, that the library is still standing to entertain you? Recently it was in great danger of being destroyed, as you may have heard.” (The Librarian was an exceedingly polite gentlemen.)
At these words the Red King turned redder and bowed gravely. ”The Books themselves rose up for the protection of books,” he said. ”They have proved in this case to be the best weapons of defense. I am beginning to think that they are better than any soldiers.”
By this time they had entered the main hall, where a delegation of Leading Citizens awaited them,--in holiday robes and with expectant faces. They greeted Red Rex with profound bows, which he acknowledged graciously.
The Librarian then turned to the rows of patient, peaceful books which lined the walls, ready to be made useful. ”Yes, Your Majesty. These are our bulwarks and batteries and bayonets,” he said simply.
The air of the room was still and quiet, full of peace and kindliness.
Beautiful pictures looked down from the walls. n.o.ble statues stood in the niches. Soft lights came in at the windows and fell on the tables and desks, and on rows upon rows of fair volumes, well-dusted and cheerful. The shattered windows had been screened; the broken marbles removed; so that there was nothing to reproach Red Rex or to speak of discord.
The War-Lord looked up and down and around and along, and spoke no word.
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