King Astyages smiled. He saw that Cyrus had a will of his own, and this pleased him very much.
"I shall be glad to see what you can do," he said. "Tomorrow, you shall be the king's cupbearer."
III
You would hardly have known the young prince when the time came for him to appear before his grandfather. He was dressed in the rich uniform of the cupbearer, and he came forward with much dignity and grace.
He carried a white napkin upon his arm, and held the cup of wine very daintily with three of his fingers.
[Illustration]
His manners were perfect. Sarcas himself could not have served the king half so well.
"Bravo! bravo!" cried his mother, her eyes sparkling with pride.
"You have done well" said his grandfather. "But you neglected one important thing. It is the rule and custom of the cupbearer to pour out a little of the wine and taste it before handing the cup to me. This you forgot to do."
"Indeed, grandfather, I did not forget it," answered Cyrus.