‘This comes of fasting and watching, Surrentine,’ quoth Zeno, offering him the cup again; ‘Nature is spiteful when robbed of her due.’
‘I must have fainted,’ muttered Masthlion feebly.
‘Ay, with a yell which was enough to curdle the heart of a dead man!’
‘I shall soon be all right, but I must confess to a certain weakness and dizziness.’
‘Come, these fellows shall help you to your bed.’
But Masthlion, refusing the offer, walked away unassisted, though somewhat falteringly, inside the palace to his pallet, [pg 331]whereon he stretched himself gladly, for he was not a little shaken and confused.
Zeno flung a cloak over him, and set some drink near him. Masthlion thanked him for his kindness.
‘I was bidden to take care of thee, and I dare not disobey—that is all,’ answered the other, with a grin. ‘But listen, potter, I may tell thee this much, and it is as much as I know so far, that thou art to go away before nightfall—how and in what way I know not.’
‘The gods bless you for the words,’ cried Masthlion, whose face lighted with unspeakable joy.
Zeno shrugged his shoulders, and hastened away.