首页 >出版文学> Stories To Tell To Children>第5章
  "Parrot,indeed!"saidthecat。"What’saparrottome?——I’veagreatmindtoeatyou,too。"And——beforeyoucouldsay"JackRobinson"——slip!slop!gobble!downwenttheoldwoman!
  Thenthecatstarteddowntheroadagain,walkinglikethis,becausehefeltsofine。
  Prettysoonhemetamandrivingadonkey。
  Themanwasbeatingthedonkey,tohurryhimup,andwhenhesawthecathesaid,"Getoutofmyway,cat;I’minahurryandmydonkeymighttreadonyou。"
  "Donkey,indeed!"saidthecat,"muchI
  careforadonkey!Ihaveeatenfivehundredcakes,I’veeatenmyfriendtheparrot,I’veeatenanoldwoman,——what’stohindermyeatingamiserablemanandadonkey?"
  Andslip!slop!gobble!downwenttheoldmanandthedonkey。
  Thenthecatwalkedondowntheroad,jauntily,likethis。Afteralittle,hemetaprocession,comingthatway。Thekingwasatthehead,walkingproudlywithhisnewlymarriedbride,andbehindhimwerehissoldiers,marching,andbehindthemwereeverandeversomanyelephants,walkingtwobytwo。Thekingfeltverykindtoeverybody,becausehehadjustbeenmarried,andhesaidtothecat,"Getoutofmyway,pussy,getoutofmyway,——myelephantsmighthurtyou。"
  "Hurtme!"saidthecat,shakinghisfatsides。"Ho,ho!I’veeatenfivehundredcakes,I’veeatenmyfriendtheparrot,I’veeatenanoldwoman,I’veeatenamanandadonkey;
  what’stohindermyeatingabeggarlyking?"
  Andslip!slop!gobble!downwenttheking;downwentthequeen;downwentthesoldiers,——anddownwentalltheelephants!
  Thenthecatwenton,moreslowly;hehadreallyhadenoughtoeat,now。Butalittlefartheronhemettwoland—crabs,scuttlingalonginthedust。"Getoutofourway,pussy,"theysqueaked。
  "Ho,hoho!"criedthecatinaterriblevoice。"I’veeatenfivehundredcakes,I’veeatenmyfriendtheparrot,I’veeatenanoldwoman,amanwithadonkey,aking,aqueen,hismen—at—arms,andallhiselephants;andnowI’lleatyoutoo。"
  Andslip!slop!gobble!downwentthetwoland—crabs。
  Whentheland—crabsgotdowninside,theybegantolookaround。Itwasverydark,buttheycouldseethepoorkingsittinginacornerwithhisbrideonhisarm;shehadfainted。
  Nearthemwerethemen—at—arms,treadingononeanother’stoes,andtheelephants,stilltryingtoformintwos,——buttheycouldn’t,becausetherewasnotroom。Intheoppositecornersattheoldwoman,andnearherstoodthemanandhisdonkey。Butintheothercornerwasagreatpileofcakes,andbythemperchedtheparrot,hisfeathersalldrooping。
  Let’sgettowork!"saidtheland—crabs。
  And,snip,snap,theybegantomakealittleholeintheside,withtheirsharpclaws。Snip,snap,snip,snap,——tillitwasbigenoughtogetthrough。Thenouttheyscuttled。
  Thenoutwalkedtheking,carryinghisbride;
  outmarchedthemen—at—arms;outtrampedtheelephants,twobytwo;outcametheoldman,beatinghisdonkey;outwalkedtheoldwoman,scoldingthecat;andlastofall,outhoppedtheparrot,holdingacakeineachclaw。(youremember,twocakeswereallhewanted?)
  Butthepoorcathadtospendthewholedaysewinguptheholeinhiscoat!
  THERATPRINCESS[1]
  [1]AdaptedfromFrankRinder’sOldWorldJapan。IntellingthisstorythevoiceshouldbechangedfortheSunCloud,Wind,andWall,asisalwaysdoneintheoldstoryofTheThreeBears。
  Onceuponatime,therewasaRatPrincess,wholivedwithherfather,theRatKing,andhermother,theRatQueen,inaricefieldinfarawayJapan。TheRatPrincesswassoprettythatherfatherandmotherwerequitefoolishlyproudofher,andthoughtnoonegoodenoughtoplaywithher。Whenshegrewup,theywouldnotletanyoftheratprincescometovisither,andtheydecidedatlastthatnooneshouldmarryhertilltheyhadfoundthemostpowerfulpersoninthewholeworld;nooneelsewasgoodenough。AndtheFatherRatstartedouttofindthemostpowerfulpersoninthewholeworld。ThewisestandoldestratinthericefieldsaidthattheSunmustbethemostpowerfulperson,becausehemadethericegrowandripen;sotheRatKingwenttofindtheSun。Heclimbedupthehighestmountain,ranupthepathofarainbow,andtravelledandtravelledacrosstheskytillhecametotheSun’shouse。
  "Whatdoyouwant,littlebrother?"theSunsaid,whenhesawhim。
  "Icome,"saidtheRatKing,veryimportantly,"toofferyouthehandofmydaughter,theprincess,becauseyouarethemostpowerfulpersonintheworld;nooneelseisgoodenough。"
  "Ha,ha!"laughedthejollyroundSun,andwinkedwithhiseye。"Youareverykind,littlebrother,butifthatisthecasetheprincessisnotforme;theCloudismorepowerfulthanIam;whenhepassesovermeIcannotshine。"
  "Oh,indeed,"saidtheRatKing,"thenyouarenotmymanatall";andhelefttheSunwithoutmorewords。TheSunlaughedandwinkedtohimself。AndtheRatKingtravelledandtravelledacrosstheskytillhecametotheCloud’shouse。
  "Whatdoyouwant,littlebrother?"sighedtheCloudwhenhesawhim。
  "Icometoofferyouthehandofmydaughter,theprincess,"saidtheRatKing,"becauseyouarethemostpowerfulpersonintheworld;theSunsaidso,andnooneelseisgoodenough。"
  TheCloudsighedagain。"Iamnotthemostpowerfulperson,"hesaid;"theWindisstrongerthanI,——whenheblows,Ihavetogowhereverhesendsme。"
  "Thenyouarenotthepersonformydaughter,"saidtheRatKingproudly;andhestartedatoncetofindtheWind。Hetravelledandtravelledacrossthesky,tillhecameatlasttotheWind’shouse,attheveryedgeoftheworld。
  WhentheWindsawhimcominghelaughedabig,gustylaugh,"Ho,ho!"andaskedhimwhathewanted;andwhentheRatKingtoldhimthathehadcometoofferhimtheRatPrincess’shandbecausehewasthemostpowerfulpersonintheworld,theWindshoutedagreatgustyshout,andsaid,"No,no,Iamnotthestrongest;theWallthatmanhasmadeisstrongerthanI;Icannotmakehimmove,withallmyblowing;gototheWall,littlebrother!"
  AndtheRatKingclimbeddownthesky—
  pathagain,andtravelledandtravelledacrosstheearthtillhecametotheWall。Itwasquitenearhisownricefield。
  "Whatdoyouwant,littlebrother?"
  grumbledtheWallwhenhesawhim。
  "Icometoofferyouthehandoftheprincess,mydaughter,becauseyouarethemostpowerfulpersonintheworld,andnooneelseisgoodenough。"
  "Ugh,ugh,"grumbledtheWall,"Iamnotthestrongest;thebiggreyRatwholivesinthecellarisstrongerthanI。WhenhegnawsandgnawsatmeIcrumbleandcrumble,andatlastIfall;gototheRat,littlebrother。"
  Andso,aftergoingallovertheworldtofindthestrongestperson,theRatKinghadtomarryhisdaughtertoarat,afterall;buttheprincesswasverygladofit,forshewantedtomarrythegreyRat,allthetime。
  THEFROGANDTHEOX
  OncealittleFrogsatbyabigFrog,bythesideofapool。"Oh,father,"saidhe,"I
  havejustseenthebiggestanimalintheworld;
  itwasasbigasamountain,andithadhornsonitshead,andithadhoofsdividedintwo。"
  "Pooh,child,"saidtheoldFrog,"thatwasonlyFarmerWhite’sOx。Heisnotsoverybig。Icouldeasilymakemyselfasbigashe。"
  Andheblew,andheblew,andheblew,andswelledhimselfout。
  "Washeasbigasthat?"heaskedthelittleFrog。
  "Oh,muchbigger,"saidthelittleFrog。
  TheoldFrogblew,andblew,andblewagain,andswelledhimselfout,morethanever。
  "Washebiggerthanthat?"hesaid。
  "Much,muchbigger,"saidthelittleFrog。
  "Icanmakemyselfasbig,"saidtheoldFrog。Andoncemoreheblew,andblew,andblew,andswelledhimselfout,——andheburst!
  Self—conceitleadstoself—destruction。
  THEFIRE—BRINGER[1]
  [1]AdaptedfromTheBasketWoman,byMaryAustin。
  ThisistheIndianstoryofhowfirewasbroughttothetribes。Itwaslong,longago,whenmenandbeaststalkedtogetherwithunderstanding,andthegreyCoyotewasfriendandcounsellorofman。
  TherewasaBoyofthetribewhowasswiftoffootandkeenofeye,andheandtheCoyoterangedthewoodtogether。Theysawthemencatchingfishinthecreekswiththeirhands,andthewomendiggingrootswithsharpstones。
  Thiswasinsummer。Butwhenwintercameon,theysawthepeoplerunningnakedinthesnow,orhuddledincavesoftherocks,andmostmiserable。TheBoynoticedthis,andwasveryunhappyforthemiseryofhispeople。
  "Idonotfeelit,"saidtheCoyote。
  "Youhaveacoatofgoodfur,"saidtheBoy,"andmypeoplehavenot。"
  "Cometothehunt,"saidtheCoyote。
  "Iwillhuntnomore,tillIhavefoundawaytohelpmypeopleagainstthecold,"saidtheBoy。"Helpme,OCounsellor!"
  ThentheCoyoteranaway,andcamebackafteralongtime;hesaidhehadfoundaway,butitwasahardway。
  "Nowayistoohard,"saidtheBoy。SotheCoyotetoldhimthattheymustgototheBurningMountainandbringfiretothepeople。
  "Whatisfire?"saidtheBoy。AndtheCoyotetoldhimthatfirewasredlikeaflower,yetnotaflower;swifttoruninthegrassandtodestroy,likeabeast,yetnobeast;fierceandhurtful,yetagoodservanttokeeponewarm,ifkeptamongstonesandfedwithsmallsticks。
  "Wewillgetthisfire,"saidtheBoy。
  FirsttheBoyhadtopersuadethepeopletogivehimonehundredswiftrunners。ThenheandtheyandtheCoyotestartedatagoodpaceforthefarawayBurningMountain。Attheendofthefirstday’strailtheylefttheweakestoftherunners,towait;attheendofthesecond,thenextstronger;attheendofthethird,thenext;andsoforeachofthehundreddaysofthejourney;andtheBoywasthestrongestrunner,andwenttothelasttrailwiththeCounsellor。Highmountainstheycrossed,andgreatplains,andgiantwoods,andatlasttheycametotheBigWater,quakingalongthesandatthefootoftheBurningMountain。
  Itstoodupinahighpeakedcone,andsmokerolledoutfromitendlesslyalongthesky。Atnight,theFireSpiritsdanced,andtheglarereddenedtheBigWaterfarout。
  TheretheCounsellorsaidtotheBoy,"StaythouheretillIbringtheeabrandfromtheburning;bereadyandrightforrunning,forI
  shallbefarspentwhenIcomeagain,andtheFireSpiritswillpursueme。"
  Thenhewentuptothemountain;andtheFireSpiritsonlylaughedwhentheysawhim,forhelookedsoslinking,inconsiderable,andmean,thatnoneofthemthoughtharmfromhim。Andinthenight,whentheywereattheirdanceaboutthemountain,theCoyotestolethefire,andranwithitdowntheslopeoftheburningmountain。WhentheFireSpiritssawwhathehaddonetheystreamedoutafterhim,redandangry,withahummingsoundlikeaswarmofbees。ButtheCoyotewasstillahead;thesparksofthebrandstreamedoutalonghisflanks,ashecarrieditinhismouth;
  andhestretchedhisbodytothetrail。
  TheBoysawhimcoming,likeafailingstaragainstthemountain;heheardthesingingsoundoftheFireSpiritsclosebehind,andthelabouringbreathoftheCounsellor。Andwhenthegoodbeastpanteddownbesidehim,theBoycaughtthebrandfromhisjawsandwasoff,likeanarrowfromabentbow。Outheshotonthehomewardpath,andtheFireSpiritssnappedandsangbehindhim。Butfastastheypursuedhefledfaster,tillhesawthenextrunnerstandinginhisplace,hisbodybentfortherunning。
  Tohimhepassedit,anditwasoffandaway,withtheFireSpiritsraginginchase。
  Soitpassedfromhandtohand,andtheFireSpiritstoreafteritthroughthescrub,tilltheycametothemountainsofthesnows;thesetheycouldnotpass。Thenthedark,sleekrunnerswiththebackwardstreamingbrandboreitforward,shiningstarlikeinthenight,glowingredinsultrynoons,violetpaleintwilightglooms,untiltheycameinsafetytotheirownland。
  Andtheretheykeptitamongstonesandfeditwithsmallsticks,astheCounselloradvised;
  anditkeptthepeoplewarm。
  EveraftertheBoywascalledtheFire—Bringer;
  andeveraftertheCoyoteborethesignofthebringing,forthefuralonghisflankswassingedandyellowfromtheflamesthatstreamedbackwardfromthebrand。
  THEBURNINGOFTHERICEFIELDS[1]
  [1]AdaptedfromGleaningsinBuddha—Fields,byLafeadioHearn。(KeganPaul,Trench,TrubnerandCo,Ltd。5s。net。)
  Oncetherewasagoodoldmanwholiveduponamountain,farawayinJapan。Allroundhislittlehousethemountainwasflat,andthegroundwasrich;andtherewerethericefieldsofallthepeoplewholivedinthevillageatthemountain’sfoot。Morningsandevenings,theoldmanandhislittlegrandson,wholivedwithhim,usedtolookfardownonthepeopleatworkinthevillage,andwatchtheblueseawhichlayallroundtheland,soclosethattherewasnoroomforfieldsbelow,onlyforhouses。
  Thelittleboylovedthericefields,dearly,forheknewthatallthegoodfoodforallthepeoplecamefromthem;andheoftenhelpedhisgrandfathertowatchoverthem。
  Oneday,thegrandfatherwasstandingalone,beforehishouse,lookingfardownatthepeople,andoutatthesea,when,suddenly,hesawsomethingverystrangefaroffwheretheseaandskymeet。Somethinglikeagreatcloudwasrisingthere,asiftheseawereliftingitselfhighintothesky。Theoldmanputhishandstohiseyesandlookedagain,hardashisoldsightcould。Thenheturnedandrantothehouse。"Yone,Yone!"hecried,"bringabrandfromthehearth!"
  Thelittlegrandsoncouldnotimaginewhathisgrandfatherwantedwithfire,buthealwaysobeyed,soheranquicklyandbroughtthebrand。
  Theoldmanalreadyhadone,andwasrunningforthericefields。Yoneranafter。Butwhatwashishorrortoseehisgrandfatherthrusthisburningbrandintotheripedryrice,whereitstood。
  "Oh,Grandfather,Grandfather!"screamedthelittleboy,"whatareyoudoing?"
  "Quick,setfire!thrustyourbrandin!"saidthegrandfather。
  Yonethoughthisdeargrandfatherhadlosthismind,andhebegantosob;butalittleJapaneseboyalwaysobeys,sothoughhesobbed,hethrusthistorchin,andthesharpflameranupthedrystalks,redandyellow。Inaninstant,thefieldwasablaze,andthickblacksmokebegantopourup,onthemountainside。
  Itroselikeacloud,blackandfierce,andinnotimethepeoplebelowsawthattheirpreciousricefieldswereonfire。Ah,howtheyran!
  Men,women,andchildrenclimbedthemountain,runningasfastastheycouldtosavetherice;notonesoulstayedbehind。
  Andwhentheycametothemountaintop,andsawthebeautifulrice—cropallinflames,beyondhelp,theycriedbitterly,"Whohasdonethisthing?Howdidithappen?"
  "Isetfire,"saidtheoldman,verysolemnly;
  andthelittlegrandsonsobbed,"Grandfathersetfire。"
  Butwhentheycamefiercelyroundtheoldman,with"Why?Why?"heonlyturnedandpointedtothesea。"Look!"hesaid。
  Theyallturnedandlooked。Andthere,wheretheblueseahadlain,socalm,amightywallofwater,reachingfromearthtosky,wasrollingin。Noonecouldscream,soterriblewasthesight。Thewallofwaterrolledinontheland,passedquiteovertheplacewherethevillagehadbeen,andbroke,withanawfulsound,onthemountainside。Onewavemore,andstillonemore,came;andthenallwaswater,asfarastheycouldlook,below;thevillagewheretheyhadbeenwasunderthesea。
  Butthepeoplewereallsafe。Andwhentheysawwhattheoldmanhaddone,theyhonouredhimaboveallmenforthequickwitwhichhadsavedthemallfromthetidalwave。
  THESTORYOFWYLIE[1]
  [1]AdaptedfromRabandhisFriends,byDrJohnBrown。
  Thisisastoryaboutadog,——notthekindofdogyouoftenseeinthestreethere;notafat,wrinklypugdog,norasmooth—skinnedbulldog,norevenabigshaggyfellow,butaslim,silky—
  haired,sharp—earedlittledog,theprettiestthingyoucanimagine。HernamewasWylie,andshelivedinScotland,faruponthehills,andhelpedhermastertakecareofhissheep。
  Youcan’tthinkhowclevershewas!Shewatchedoverthesheepandthelittlelambslikeasoldier,andneverletanythinghurtthem。
  Shedrovethemouttopasturewhenitwastime,andbroughtthemsafelyhomewhenitwastimeforthat。Whenthesillysheepgotfrightenedandranthiswayandthat,hurtingthemselvesandgettinglost,Wylieknewexactlywhattodo,——roundononesideshewouldrun,barkingandscolding,drivingthemback;thenroundontheother,barkingandscolding,drivingthemback,tilltheywereallbunchedtogetherinfrontoftherightgate。Thenshedrovethemthroughasneatlyasanyperson。Shelovedherwork,andwasawonderfullyfinesheepdog。
  Atlasthermastergrewtoooldtostayaloneonthehills,andsohewentawaytolive。Beforehewent,hegaveWylietotwokindyoungmenwholivedinthenearesttown;heknewtheywouldbegoodtoher。Theygrewveryfondofher,andsodidtheiroldgrandmotherandthelittlechildren:shewassogentleandhandsomeandwellbehaved。
  SonowWylielivedinthecitywheretherewerenosheepfarms,onlystreetsandhouses,andshedidnothavetodoanyworkatall,——
  shewasjustapetdog。Sheseemedveryhappyandshewasalwaysgood。
  Butafterawhile,thefamilynoticedsomethingodd,somethingverystrangeindeed,abouttheirpet。EverysingleTuesdaynight,aboutnineo’clock,WylieDISAPPEARED。Theywouldlookforher,callher,——no,shewasgone。Andshewouldbegoneallnight。ButeveryWednesdaymorning,thereshewasatthedoor,waitingtobeletin。Hersilkycoatwasallsweatyandmuddyandherfeetheavywithweariness,butherbrighteyeslookedupathermastersasifsheweretryingtoexplainwhereshehadbeen。
  Weekafterweekthesamethinghappened。
  NobodycouldimaginewhereWyliewenteveryTuesdaynight。Theytriedtofollowhertofindout,butshealwaysslippedaway;theytriedtoshutherin,butshealwaysfoundawayout。
  Itgrewtobearealmystery。WhereintheworlddidWyliego?
  Younevercouldguess,soIamgoingtotellyou。
  Inthecitynearthetownwherethekindyoungmenlivedwasabigmarketlike(namingoneintheneighbourhood)。Everysortofthingwassoldthere,evenlivecowsandsheepandhens。OnTuesdaynights,thefarmersusedtocomedownfromthehillswiththeirsheeptosell,anddrivethemthroughthecitystreetsintothepens,readytosellonWednesdaymorning;thatwasthedaytheysoldthem。
  Thesheepweren’tusedtothecitynoisesandsights,andtheyalwaysgrewafraidandwild,andgavethefarmersandthesheepdogsagreatdealoftrouble。Theybrokeawayandranabout,ineverybody’sway。
  Butjustasthetroublewasworst,aboutsunrise,thefarmerswouldseealittlesilky,sharp—
  eareddogcometrottingallalonedowntheroad,intothemidstofthem。
  Andthen!
  Inandoutthelittledogranlikethewind,roundandabout,alwaysintherightplace,driving——coaxing——pushing——makingthesheepmindlikeagoodschool—teacher,andneverfrighteningthem,tilltheywereallsafelyin!
  Alltheotherdogstogethercouldnotdoasmuchasthelittlestrangedog。Shewasaperfectwonder。Andnooneknewwhosedogshewasorwhereshecamefrom。Thefarmersgrewtowatchforher,everyweek,andtheycalledher"theweefellyin"whichisScotsfor"thelittleterror";theyusedtosaywhentheysawhercoming,"There’stheweefellyin!Nowwe’llgetthemin。"
  Everyfarmerwouldhavelikedtokeepher,butsheletnoonecatchher。Assoonasherworkwasdoneshewasoffandawaylikeafairydog,nooneknewwhere。Weekafterweekthishappened,andnobodyknewwhothelittlestrangedogwas。
  ButonedayWyliewenttowalkwithhertwomasters,andtheyhappenedtomeetsomesheepfarmers。ThesheepfarmersstoppedshortandstaredatWylie,andthentheycriedout,"Why,THAT’STHEDOG!That’stheweefellyin!"Andsoitwas。ThelittlestrangedogwhohelpedwiththesheepwasWylie。
  Hermasters,ofcourse,didn’tknowwhatthefarmersmeant,tilltheyweretoldallaboutwhatIhavebeentellingyou。Butwhentheyheardabouttheprettystrangedogwhocametomarketallalone,theyknewatlastwhereWyliewent,everyTuesdaynight。AndtheylovedherbetterthaneverWasn’titwiseofthedearlittledogtogoandworkforotherpeoplewhenherownworkwastakenaway?Ifancysheknewthatthebestpeopleandthebestdogsalwaysworkhardatsomething。Anywayshedidthatsamethingaslongasshelived,andshewasalwaysjustasgentle,andsilky—haired,andlovingasatfirst。
  LITTLEDAYLIGHT[1]
  [1]AdaptedfromAttheBackoftheNorthWind,byGeorgeMacdonald。
  Oncetherewasabeautifulpalace,whichhadagreatwoodatoneside。Thekingandhiscourtiershuntedinthewoodnearthepalace,andthereitwaskeptopen,freefromunderbrush。
  Butfartherawayitgrewwilderandwilder,tillatlastitwassothickthatnobodyknewwhatwasthere。Itwasaverygreatwoodindeed。
  Inthewoodlivedeightfairies。Sevenofthemweregoodfairies,whohadlivedtherealways;theeighthwasabadfairy,whohadjustcome。AndtheworstofitwasthatnobodybuttheotherfairiesknewsheWASafairy;
  peoplethoughtshewasjustanuglyoldwitch。
  Thegoodfairieslivedinthedearestlittlehouses!
  Onelivedinahollowsilverbirch,oneinalittlemosscottage,andsoon。Butthebadfairylivedinahorridmudhouseinthemiddleofadarkswamp。
  Nowwhenthefirstbabywasborntothekingandqueen,herfatherandmotherdecidedtonameher"Daylight,"becauseshewassobrightandsweet。Andofcoursetheyhadachristeningparty。AndofCOURSEtheyinvitedthefairies,becausethegoodfairieshadalwaysbeenatthechristeningpartywhenaprincesswasborninthepalace,andeverybodyknewthattheybroughtgoodgifts。
  But,alas,nooneknewabouttheswampfairy,andshewasnotinvited,——whichreallypleasedher,becauseitgaveheranexcusefordoingsomethingmean。
  Thegoodfairiescametothechristeningparty,and,oneafteranother,fiveofthemgavelittleDaylightgoodgifts。Theothertwostoodamongtheguests,sothatnoonenoticedthem。Theswampfairythoughttherewerenomoreofthem;
  soshesteppedforward,justasthearchbishopwashandingthebabybacktothelady—in—waiting。
  "Iamjustalittledeaf,"shesaid,mumblingalaughwithhertoothlessgums。"Willyourreverencetellmethebaby’snameagain?"
  "Certainly,mygoodwoman,"saidthebishop;
  "theinfantislittleDaylight。"
  "AndlittleDaylightitshallbe,forsooth,"
  criedthebadfairy。"Idecreethatsheshallsleepallday。"Thenshelaughedahorridshriekinglaugh,"He,he,hi,hi!"
  Everyonelookedateveryoneelseindespair,butoutsteppedthesixthgoodfairy,whobyarrangementwithhersistershadremainedinthebackgroundtoundowhatshecouldofanyevilthattheswampfairymightdecree。
  "Thenatleastsheshallwakeallnight,"shesaid,sadly。
  "Ah!"screamedtheswampfairy,"youspokebeforeIhadfinished,whichisagainstthelaw,andgivesmeanotherchance。"Allthefairiesstartedatoncetosay,"Ibegyourpardon!"
  Butthebadfairysaid,"Ihadonlylaughed`he,he!’and`hi,hi!’Ihadstill`ho,ho!’and`hu,hu!’tolaugh。"
  Thefairiescouldnotgainsaythis,andthebadfairyhadherotherchance。Shesaid,——
  "Sincesheistowakeallnight,Idecreethatsheshallwaxandwanewiththemoon!Ho,ho,hu,hu!"
  Outsteppedtheseventhgoodfairy。"Untilaprinceshallkissherwithoutknowingwhosheis,"shesaid,quickly。
  Theswampfairyhadbeenpreparedforthetrickofkeepingbackonegoodfairy,butshehadnotsuspecteditoftwo,andshecouldnotsayaword,forshehadlaughed"ho,ho!"and"hu,hu!"
  Thepoorkingandqueenlookedsadenough。
  "Wedon’tknowwhatyoumean,"theysaidtothegoodfairywhohadspokenlast。Butthegoodfairysmiled。"Themeaningofthethingwillcomewiththething,"shesaid。
  Thatwastheendoftheparty,butitwasonlythebeginningofthetrouble。Canyouimaginewhataqueerhouseholditwouldbe,wherethebabylaughedandcrowedallnight,andsleptallday?LittleDaylightwasasmerryandbrightallnightasanybabyintheworld,butwiththefirstsignofdawnshefellasleep,andsleptlikealittledormousetilldark。
  Nothingcouldwakenherwhiledaylasted。
  Still,theroyalfamilygotusedtothis;buttherestofthebadfairy’sgiftwasagreatdealworse,——thataboutwaxingandwaningwiththemoon。Youknowhowthemoongrowsbiggerandbrightereachnight,fromthetimeitisacurlysilverthreadlowintheskytillitisroundandgolden,floodingthewholeskywithlight?Thatisthewaxingmoon。Then,youknow,itwanes;itgrowssmallerandpaleragain,nightbynight,tillatlastitdisappearsforawhile,altogether。Well,poorlittleDaylightwaxedandwanedwithit。Shewastherosiest,plumpest,merriestbabyintheworldwhenthemoonwasatthefull;butasitbegantowaneherlittlecheeksgrewpaler,hertinyhandsthinner,witheverynight,tillshelayinhercradlelikeashadow—baby,withoutsoundormotion。Atfirsttheythoughtshewasdead,whenthemoondisappeared,butaftersomemonthstheygotusedtothistoo,andonlywaitedeagerlyforthenewmoon,toseeherrevive。Whenitshoneagain,faintandsilver,onthehorizon,thebabystirredweakly,andthentheyfedhergently;eachnightshegrewalittlebetter,andwhenthemoonwasnearthefullagain,shewasagainalively,rosy,lovelychild。
  Soitwentontillshegrewup。Shegrewtobethemostbeautifulmaidenthemoonevershoneon,andeveryonelovedhersomuch,forhersweetwaysandhermerryheart,thatsomeonewasalwaysplanningtostayupatnight,tobenearher。Butshedidnotliketobewatched,especiallywhenshefeltthebadtimeofwaningcomingon;soherladies—in—waitinghadtobeverycareful。Whenthemoonwanedshebecameshrunkenandpaleandbent,likeanold,oldwoman,wornoutwithsorrow。Onlyhergoldenhairandherblueeyesremainedunchanged,andthisgaveheraterriblystrangelook。Atlast,asthemoondisappeared,shefadedawaytoalittle,bowed,oldcreature,asleepandhelpless。
  Nowondershelikedbesttobealone!Shegotinthewayofwanderingbyherselfinthebeautifulwood,playinginthemoonlightwhenshewaswell,stealingawayintheshadowswhenshewasfadingwiththemoon。Herfatherhadalovelylittlehouseofrosesandvinesbuiltforher,there。Itstoodattheedgeofamostbeautifulopenglade,insidethewood,wherethemoonshonebest。Theretheprincesslivedwithherladies。Andthereshedancedwhenthemoonwasfull。Butwhenthemoonwaned,herladiesoftenlostheraltogether,sofardidshewander;andsometimestheyfoundhersleepingunderagreattree,andbroughtherhomeintheirarms。
  Whentheprincesswasaboutseventeenyearsold,therewasarebellioninakingdomnotfarfromherfather’s。Wickednoblesmurderedthekingofthecountryandstolehisthrone,andwouldhavemurderedtheyoungprince,too,ifhehadnotescaped,dressedinpeasant’sclothes。
  Dressedinhispoorrags,theprincewanderedaboutalongtime,tillonedayhegotintoagreatwood,andlosthisway。ItwasthewoodwherethePrincessDaylightlived,butofcoursehedidnotknowanythingaboutthatnorabouther。Hewanderedtillnight,andthenhecametoaqueerlittlehouse。Oneofthegoodfairieslivedthere,andtheminuteshesawhimsheknewallabouteverything;buttohimshelookedonlylikeakindoldwoman。Shegavehimagoodsupperandabedforthenight,andtoldhimtocomebacktoherifhefoundnobetterplaceforthenextnight。Buttheprincesaidhemustgetoutofthewoodatonce;sointhemorninghetookleaveofthefairy。
  Alldaylonghewalked,andwalked;butatnightfallhehadnotfoundhiswayoutofthewood,sohelaydowntoresttillthemoonshouldriseandlighthispath。
  Whenhewokethemoonwasglorious;itwasthreedaysfromthefull,andbrightassilver。Byitslighthesawwhathethoughttobetheedgeofthewood,andhehastenedtowardit。Butwhenhecametoit,itwasonlyanopenspace,surroundedwithtrees。Itwassoverylovely,inthewhitemoonlight,thattheprincestoodaminutetolook。Andashelooked,somethingwhitemovedoutofthetreesonthefarsideoftheopenspace。Itwassomethingslimandwhite,thatswayedinthedimlightlikeayoungbirch。
  "Itmustbeamoonfairy,"thoughttheprince;andhesteppedintotheshadow。
  Themoonfairycamenearerandnearer,dancingandswayinginthemoonlight。Andasshecame,shebegantosingasoft,gaylittlesong。
  Butwhenshewasquiteclose,theprincesawthatshewasnotafairyafterall,butarealhumanmaiden,——theloveliestmaidenhehadeverseen。Herhairwaslikeyellowcorn,andhersmilemadealltheplacemerry。Herwhitegownflutteredasshedanced,andherlittlesongsoundedlikeabirdnote。
  Theprincewatchedhertillshedancedoutofsight,andthenuntilsheoncemorecametowardhim;andsheseemedsolikeamoon—
  beamherself,assheliftedherfacetothesky,thathewasalmostafraidtobreathe。Hehadneverseenanythingsolovely。Bythetimeshehaddancedtwiceroundthecircle,hecouldthinkofnothingintheworldexceptthehopeoffindingoutwhoshewas,andstayingnearher。
  Butwhilehewaswaitingforhertoappearthethirdtime,hiswearinessovercamehim,andhefellasleep。Andwhenheawoke,itwasbroadday,andthebeautifulmaidenhadvanished。
  Hehuntedabout,hopingtofindwhereshelived,andontheothersideofthegladehecameuponalovelylittlehouse,coveredwithmossandclimbingroses。Hethoughtshemustlivethere,sohewentroundtothekitchendoorandaskedthekindcookforadrinkofwater,andwhilehewasdrinkingitheaskedwholivedthere。ShetoldhimitwasthehouseofthePrincessDaylight,butshetoldhimnothingelseabouther,becauseshewasnotallowedtotalkabouthermistress。Butshegavehimaverygoodmealandtoldhimotherthings。
  Hedidnotgobacktothelittleoldwomanwhohadbeensokindtohimfirst,butwanderedalldayinthewood,waitingforthemoontime。Againhewaitedattheedgeofthedell,andwhenthewhitemoonwashighintheheavens,oncemorehesawtheglimmeringinthedistance,andoncemorethelovelymaidenfloatedtowardhim。HeknewhernamewasthePrincessDaylight,butthistimesheseemedtohimmuchlovelierthanbefore。
  Shewasallinblueliketheblueoftheskyinsummer。(Shereallywasmorelovely,youknow,becausethemoonwasalmostatthefull。)Allnighthewatchedher,quiteforgettingthatheoughtnottobedoingit,tillshedisappearedontheoppositesideoftheglade。
  Then,verytired,hefoundhiswaytothelittleoldwoman’shouse,hadbreakfastwithher,andfellfastasleepinthebedshegavehim。
  ThefairyknewwellenoughbyhisfacethathehadseenDaylight,andwhenhewokeupintheeveningandstartedoffagainshegavehimastrangelittleflaskandtoldhimtouseitifeverheneededit。
  Thisnighttheprincessdidnotappearinthedelluntilmidnight,attheveryfullofthemoon。Butwhenshecame,shewassolovelythatshetooktheprince’sbreathaway。Justthink!——shewasdressedinagownthatlookedasifitweremadeoffireflies’wings,em—
  broideredingold。Shedancedaroundandaround,singing,swaying,andflittinglikeabeamofsunlight,tilltheprincegrewquitedazzled。
  Butwhilehehadbeenwatchingher,hehadnotnoticedthattheskywasgrowingdarkandthewindwasrising。Suddenlytherewasaclapofthunder。Theprincessdancedon。
  Butanotherclapcamelouder,andthenasuddengreatflashoflightningthatlituptheskyfromendtoend。Theprincecouldn’thelpshuttinghiseyes,butheopenedthemquicklytoseeifDaylightwashurt。Alas,shewaslyingontheground。Theprincerantoher,butshewasalreadyupagain。
  "Whoareyou?"shesaid。
  "Ithought,"stammeredtheprince,"youmightbehurt。"
  "Thereisnothingthematter。Goaway。"
  Theprincewentsadly。
  "Comeback,"saidtheprincess。Theprincecame。"Ilikeyou,youdoasyouaretold。
  Areyougood?"
  "NotsogoodasIshouldliketobe,"saidtheprince。
  "Thengoandgrowbetter,"saidtheprincess。
  Theprincewent,moresadly。
  "Comeback,"saidtheprincess。Theprincecame。"Ithinkyoumustbeaprince,"shesaid。
  "Why?"saidtheprince。
  "Becauseyoudoasyouaretold,andyoutellthetruth。Willyoutellmewhatthesunlookslike?"
  "Why,everybodyknowsthat,"saidtheprince。
  "Iamdifferentfromeverybody,"saidtheprincess,——"Idon’tknow。"
  "But,"saidtheprince,"doyounotlookwhenyouwakeupinthemorning?"
  "That’sjustit,"saidtheprincess,"Ineverdowakeupinthemorning。Inevercanwakeupuntil————"Thentheprincessrememberedthatshewastalkingtoaprince,andputtingherhandsoverherfaceshewalkedswiftlyaway。Theprincefollowedher,butsheturnedandputupherhandtotellhimnotto。Andlikethegentlemanprincethathewas,heobeyedheratonce。
  Nowallthistime,thewickedswampfairyhadnotknownawordaboutwhatwasgoingon。Butnowshefoundout,andshewasfurious,forfearthatlittleDaylightshouldbedeliveredfromherspell。SoshecastherspellstokeeptheprincefromfindingDaylightagain。Nightafternightthepoorprincewanderedandwandered,andnevercouldfindthelittledell。Andwhendaytimecame,ofcourse,therewasnoprincesstobeseen。
  Finally,atthetimethatthemoonwasalmostgone,theswampfairystoppedherspells,becausesheknewthatbythistimeDaylightwouldbesochangedanduglythattheprincewouldneverknowherifhedidseeher。Shesaidtoherselfwithawickedlaugh:——
  "Nofearofhiswantingtokisshernow!"
  Thatnighttheprincedidfindthedell,butnoprincesscame。Alittleaftermidnighthepassednearthelovelylittlehousewhereshelived,andthereheoverheardherwaiting—
  womentalkingabouther。Theyseemedingreatdistress。Theyweresayingthattheprincesshadwanderedintothewoodsandwaslost。Theprincedidn’tknow,ofcourse,whatitmeant,buthedidunderstandthattheprincesswaslostsomewhere,andhestartedofftofindher。Afterhehadgonealongwaywithoutfindingher,hecametoabigoldtree,andtherehethoughthewouldlightafiretoshowherthewayifsheshouldhappentoseeit。
  Astheblazeflaredup,hesuddenlysawalittleblackheapontheothersideofthetree。
  Somebodywaslyingthere。Herantothespot,hisheartbeatingwithhope。Butwhenheliftedthecloakwhichwashuddledabouttheform,hesawatoncethatitwasnotDaylight。Apinched,withered,white,littleoldwoman’sfaceshoneoutathim。Thehoodwasdrawnclosedownoverherforehead,theeyeswereclosed,andastheprinceliftedthecloak,theoldwoman’slipsmoanedfaintly。
  "Oh,poormother,"saidtheprince,"whatisthematter?"Theoldwomanonlymoanedagain。Theprinceliftedherandcarriedherovertothewarmfire,andrubbedherhands,tryingtofindoutwhatwasthematter。Butsheonlymoaned,andherfacewassoterriblystrangeandwhitethattheprince’stenderheartachedforher。Rememberinghislittleflask,hepouredsomeofhisliquidbetweenherlips,andthenhethoughtthebestthinghecoulddowastocarryhertotheprincess’shouse,whereshecouldbetakencareof。
  Asheliftedthepoorlittleforminhisarms,twogreattearsstoleoutfromtheoldwoman’sclosedeyesandrandownherwrinkledcheeks。
  "Oh,poor,poormother,"saidtheprincepityingly;andhestoopedandkissedherwitheredlips。
  Ashewalkedthroughtheforestwiththeoldwomaninhisarms,itseemedtohimthatshegrewheavierandheavier;hecouldhardlycarryheratall;andthenshestirred,andatlasthewasobligedtosetherdown,torest。
  Hemeanttolayherontheground。Buttheoldwomanstooduponherfeet。
  Andthenthehoodfellbackfromherface。
  Asshelookedupattheprince,thefirst,long,yellowrayoftherisingsunstruckfulluponher,——anditwasthePrincessDaylight!Herhairwasgoldenasthesunitself,andhereyesasblueastheflowerthatgrowsinthecorn。
  Theprincefellonhiskneesbeforeher。Butshegavehimherhandandmadehimrise。
  "YoukissedmewhenIwasanoldwoman,"
  saidtheprincess,"I’llkissyounowthatIamayoungprincess。"Andshedid。
  Andthensheturnedherfacetowardthedawn。
  "DearPrince,"shesaid,"isthatthesun?"
  THESAILORMAN[1]
  [1]FromTheGoldenWindows,byLauraE。Richards。
  (H。R。AllensonLtd。2s。6d。net。)
  Onceuponatime,twochildrencametothehouseofasailorman,wholivedbesidethesaltsea;andtheyfoundthesailormansittinginhisdoorwayknottingropes。
  "Howdoyoudo?"askedthesailorman。
  "Weareverywell,thankyou,"saidthechildren,whohadlearnedmanners,"andwehopeyouarethesame。Weheardthatyouhadaboat,andwethoughtthatperhapsyouwouldtakeusoutinher,andteachushowtosail,forthatiswhatwemostwishtoknow。"
  "Allingoodtime,"saidthesailorman。"I
  ambusynow,butby—and—by,whenmyworkisdone,Imayperhapstakeoneofyouifyouarereadytolearn。Meantimeherearesomeropesthatneedknotting;youmightbedoingthat,sinceithastobedone。"Andheshowedthemhowtheknotsshouldbetied,andwentawayandleftthem。
  Whenhewasgonethefirstchildrantothewindowandlookedout。
  "Thereisthesea,"hesaid。"Thewavescomeuponthebeach,almosttothedoorofthehouse。Theyrunupallwhite,likeprancinghorses,andthentheygodraggingback。Comeandlook!"
  "Icannot,"saidthesecondchild。"Iamtyingaknot。"
  "Oh!"criedthefirstchild,"Iseetheboat。
  Sheisdancinglikealadyataball;Ineversawsuchabeauty。Comeandlook!"
  "Icannot,"saidthesecondchild。"Iamtyingaknot。"
  "Ishallhaveadelightfulsailinthatboat,"
  saidthefirstchild。"Iexpectthatthesailormanwilltakeme,becauseIamtheeldestandIknowmoreaboutit。Therewasnoneedofmywatchingwhenheshowedyoutheknots,becauseIknewhowalready。"
  Justthenthesailormancamein。
  "Well,"hesaid,"myworkisover。Whathaveyoubeendoinginthemeantime?"
  "Ihavebeenlookingattheboat,"saidthefirstchild。"Whatabeautysheis!IshallhavethebesttimeinherthateverIhadinmylife。"
  "Ihavebeentyingknots,"saidthesecondchild。
  "Come,then,"saidthesailorman,andheheldouthishandtothesecondchild。"Iwilltakeyououtintheboat,andteachyoutosailher。"
  "ButIamtheeldest,"criedthefirstchild,"andIknowagreatdealmorethanshedoes。"
  "Thatmaybe,"saidthesailorman;"butapersonmustlearntotieaknotbeforehecanlearntosailaboat。"
  "ButIhavelearnedtotieaknot,"criedthechild。"Iknowallaboutit!"
  "HowcanItellthat?"askedthesailorman。
  THESTORYOFJAIRUS’SDAUGHTER[1]
  [1]ThisshouldusuallybeprefacedbyabriefstatementofJesushabitofhealingandcomfortingallwithwhomHecameinclosecontact。TheexactformoftheprefacemustdependonhowmuchofHislifehasalreadybeengiveninstories。
  Once,whileJesuswasjourneyingabout,HepassednearatownwhereamannamedJairuslived。Thismanwasarulerinthesynagogue,andhehadjustonelittledaughterabouttwelveyearsofage。AtthetimethatJesuswastherethelittledaughterwasverysick,andatlastshelaya—dying。
  Herfatherheardthattherewasawonderfulmannearthetown,whowashealingsickpeoplewhomnooneelsecouldhelp,andinhisdespairheranoutintothestreetstosearchforHim。
  HefoundJesuswalkinginthemidstofacrowdofpeople,andwhenhesawHimhefelldownatJesusfeetandbesoughtHimtocomeintohishouse,tohealhisdaughter。AndJesussaid,Yes,hewouldgowithhim。Butthereweresomanypeoplebeggingtobehealed,andsomanylookingtoseewhathappened,thatthecrowdthrongedthem,andkeptthemfrommovingfast。Andbeforetheyreachedthehouseoneoftheman’sservantscametomeetthem,andsaid,"Thydaughterisdead;troublenottheMastertocomefarther。"
  ButinstantlyJesusturnedtothefatherandsaid,"Fearnot;onlybelieve,andsheshallbemadewhole。"AndHewentonwithJairus,tothehouse。
  Whentheycametothehouse,theyheardthesoundofweepingandlamentation;thehouseholdwasmourningforthelittledaughter,whowasdead。Jesussentallthestrangersawayfromthedoor,andonlythreeofHisdisciplesandthefatherandmotherofthechildwentinwithHim。AndwhenHewaswithin,Hesaidtothemourningpeople,"Weepnot;sheisnotdead;shesleepeth。"
  WhenHehadpassed,theylaughedHimtoscorn,fortheyknewthatshewasdead。
  ThenJesusleftthemall,andwentaloneintothechamberwherethelittledaughterlay。
  AndwhenHewasthere,alone,Hewentuptothebedwhereshewas,andbentoverher,andtookherbythehand。AndHesaid,"Maiden,arise。"
  Andherspiritcameuntoheragain!Andshelived,andgrewupinherfather’shouse。
  ESPECIALLYFORCLASSESIV。ANDV。
  ARTHURANDTHESWORD[1]
  [1]AdaptedfromSirThomasMalory。
  OncetherewasagreatkinginBritainnamedUther,andwhenhediedtheotherkingsandprincesdisputedoverthekingdom,eachwantingitforhimself。ButKingUtherhadasonnamedArthur,therightfulheirtothethrone,ofwhomnooneknew,forhehadbeentakenawaysecretlywhilehewasstillababybyawiseoldmancalledMerlin,whohadhimbroughtupinthefamilyofacertainSirEctor,forfearofthemaliceofwickedknights。EventheboyhimselfthoughtSirEctorwashisfather,andhelovedSirEctor’sson,SirKay,withtheloveofabrother。
  Whenthekingsandprincescouldnotbekeptincheckanylonger,andsomethinghadtobedonetodeterminewhowastobeking,MerlinmadetheArchbishopofCanterburysendforthemalltocometoLondon。ItwasChristmastime,andinthegreatcathedralasolemnservicewasheld,andprayerwasmadethatsomesignshouldbegiven,toshowwhowastherightfulking。Whentheservicewasover,thereappearedastrangestoneinthechurchyard,againstthehighaltar。Itwasagreatwhitestone,likemarble,withsomethingsunkinitthatlookedlikeasteelanvil;andintheanvilwasdrivenagreatglisteningsword。
  Theswordhadlettersofgoldwrittenonit,whichread:"WhosopullethoutthisswordofthisstoneandanvilisrightwisekingbornofallEngland。"
  Allwonderedatthestrangeswordanditsstrangewriting;andwhenthearchbishophimselfcameoutandgavepermission,manyoftheknightstriedtopulltheswordfromthestone,hopingtobeking。Butnoonecouldmoveitahair’sbreadth。
  "Heisnothere,"saidthearchbishop,"thatshallachievethesword;butdoubtnot,Godwillmakehimknown。"
  Thentheysetaguardoftenknightstokeepthestone,andthearchbishopappointedadaywhenallshouldcometogethertotryatthestone,——kingsfromfarandnear。Inthemeantime,splendidjoustswereheld,outsideLondon,andbothknightsandcommonswerebidden。
  SirEctorcameuptothejousts,withothers,andwithhimrodeKayandArthur。KayhadbeenmadeaknightatAllhallowmas,andwhenhefoundtherewastobesofineajousthewantedasword,tojoinit。Buthehadlefthisswordbehind,wherehisfatherandhehadsleptthenightbefore。SoheaskedyoungArthurtorideforit。
  "Iwillwell,"saidArthur,androdebackforit。Butwhenhecametothecastle,theladyandallherhouseholdwereatthejousting,andtherewasnonetolethimin。
  ThereatArthursaidtohimself,"MybrotherSirKayshallnotbewithoutaswordthisday。"
  Andherememberedtheswordhehadseeninthechurchyard。"Iwilltothechurchyard,"
  hesaid,"andtakethatswordwithme。"Soherodeintothechurchyard,tiedhishorsetothestile,andwentuptothestone。Theguardswereawaytothetourney,andtheswordwasthere,alone。
  Goinguptothestone,youngArthurtookthegreatswordbythehilt,andlightlyandfiercelyhedrewitoutoftheanvil。
  ThenherodestraighttoSirKay,andgaveittohim。
  SirKayknewinstantlythatitwastheswordofthestone,andherodeoffatoncetohisfatherandsaid,"Sir,lo,hereistheswordofthestone;Imustbekingoftheland。"ButSirEctoraskedhimwherehegotthesword。AndwhenSirKaysaid,"Frommybrother,"heaskedArthurhowhegotit。WhenArthurtoldhim,SirEctorbowedhisheadbeforehim。
  "NowIunderstandyemustbekingofthisland,"hesaidtoArthur。
  "WhereforeI?"saidArthur。
  "ForGodwillhaveitso,"saidEctor;
  "nevermanshouldhavedrawnoutthisswordbuthethatshallberightwisekingofthisland。
  Nowletmeseewhetheryecanputtheswordasitwasinthestone,andpullitoutagain。"
  StraightwayArthurputtheswordback。
  ThenSirEctortriedtopullitout,andafterhimSirKay;butneithercouldstirit。ThenArthurpulleditout。Thereupon,SirEctorandSirKaykneeleduponthegroundbeforehim。
  "Alas,"saidArthur,"mineowndearfatherandbrother,whykneelyetome?"
  SirEctortoldhim,then,allabouthisroyalbirth,andhowhehadbeentakenprivilyawaybyMerlin。ButwhenArthurfoundSirEctorwasnottrulyhisfather,hewassosadatheartthathecarednotgreatlytobeking。Andhebeggedhisfatherandbrothertolovehimstill。
  SirEctoraskedthatSirKaymightbeseneschalwhenArthurwasking。Arthurpromisedwithallhisheart。
  Thentheywenttothearchbishopandtoldhimthattheswordhadfounditsmaster。Thearchbishopappointedadayforthetrialtobemadeinthesightofallmen,andonthatdaytheprincesandknightscametogether,andeachtriedtodrawoutthesword,asbefore。Butasbefore,nonecouldsomuchasstirit。
  ThencameArthur,andpullediteasilyfromitsplace。
  Theknightsandkingswereterriblyangrythataboyfromnowhereinparticularhadbeatenthem,andtheyrefusedtoacknowledgehimking。
  Theyappointedanotherday,foranothergreattrial。
  Threetimestheydidthis,andeverytimethesamethinghappened。
  Atlast,atthefeastofPentecost,Arthuragainpulledouttheswordbeforealltheknightsandthecommons。Andthenthecommonsroseupandcriedthatheshouldbeking,andthattheywouldslayanywhodeniedhim。
  SoArthurbecamekingofBritain,andallgavehimallegiance。