When supper was ready the charcoal-burner bade King Charlemagne go to the table before him. But again His Majesty held back. Then Ralph gave his visitor such a sound box on the ear that he staggered and fell.
"Why will you not do as I bid you?" he cried angrily.
"These are strange doings indeed," said the King to himself, as he rose from the ground.
"Now tell me who you are, and where you live?" said the peasant to his royal guest.
THE CHARCOAL-BURNER AT THE PALACE
"My name is Uzmond, and I live at Court, where I have an office with the Queen," replied Charlemagne.
Early the next morning, Charlemagne before starting offered to pay Ralph for his food and lodging, but the man refused to take payment for sheltering one who belonged to the Court of the noble King of France.
"So be it," answered His Majesty. "But if you will not let me pay you, come to the Court with a load of coals and I will see that you sell your goods."
"That will I do," answered Ralph.