"And must he sit here much longer?"
"A month."
"What did he do?"
"He was insolent to a tax gatherer."
The prince turned and saw another crowd, composed of women and children. Among them was an old man.
"Are these prisoners?"
"No, most worthy lord. That is a family waiting for the body of a criminal who is to be strangled oh, they are taking him already to the chamber," said the overseer.
Then, turning to the crowd, he said,
"Be patient a short time, dear people. Ye will get the body soon."
"We thank thee greatly, worthy lord," answered an old man, doubtless the father of the delinquent. "We left home yesterday evening, our flax is in the field, and the river is rising."