“She will not come out of prison alive,” said the student’s friend, noting her expression.
But he called out to her from where they stood in the body of the court, “Do not fear, your child is safe.”
The woman’s face brightened, and she went with her jailers buoyantly.
The magistrate had remarked who it was that had spoken, and was about to give orders for the disturber of order to be brought up for punishment. But the clerk, who was sitting near to the magistrate with whom he was acquainted, said:
“This is the one I have told you about; pray do not punish him.”
The magistrate accordingly contented himself with warning the audience in general terms.
But he said to the clerk, “Something about him is very repulsive to me, do not tell me anything more about him.”
The three returned together, and together they deliberated as to how the new idea about the king could be made known. It seemed best to go to the metropolis and talk with the wisest and most learned there.
The student asked about the child. His friend’s sister came and told him that its breathing was not any better, but that the child itself was strong and playful.
“It belongs to the woman who was tried to day,” said the student, “and must be kept safely till she is out of prison.”