"Also we shall be beaten if we say things un-courtly to the Queen," retorted the first.
"This air smells of sticks," said the other, as he sniffed, and laughed at his jest, but somewhat nervously.
"You shall speak for us," concluded his companion, "for you are the truth-teller."
So they came to the Queen, and laid the blank shield at her feet, and neither would say anything.
"Saw you the gentleman to whom it belongs?" she asked.
"Yes, Madam!" they answered in one breath.
"And said he anything? Have you no message?"
"He said, Madam—" said one, and stopped short.
"Yes, Madam, he said that we should tell your Grace—"
But the page's courage failed him, and he stopped.