Philip and the Monkey
The poor animal had suffered so much pain while being burnt to death that its little body no longer looked the body of a living animal, but seemed rather like the fragment of some root, all wrinkled and distorted. And its mouth, still open with the death-cry, was filled with froth mixed with blood; and the face was wet with tears.
“Who has done this?” said the Emperor.
The Governor did not dare to answer, and the two men stood there silent, sad, and angry.
All at once, in the silence, there was heard a sound of feeble coughing that came from a corner in the shadow behind them. His Majesty turned and beheld Philip, his son, dressed all in black, sucking an orange.
“Don Philip,” he said, “come and greet your father.”
The child did not move, but gazed at his father with timid eyes that showed no spark of love.
“Is it you,” asked the Emperor, “who have burnt alive in the fire this little animal?”
The child bowed his head.