“Do you not love to see the jousts?” frowned Edward.
“I like to play at the ball,” returned Richard.
“Take him away for a false knight,” said the Prince wearily.
“Ahè, at four years old!” cried Jehanne of Kent indignantly. She came round the bed and caught the younger Prince to her bosom swiftly.
“He is my son,” flashed Edward, “and he loves not arms. Take him hence.”
The Princess gave Richard to the lady who had brought him, and as he found himself being carried away he began to wail and cry, which completed the Prince’s contempt; in truth he was angry with Richard for being well and lusty while his brother lay sick. The Princess noticed his exclamation of annoyance as the child broke into sobs.
“You are not fair to Richard,” she said, flushing.
“Pardi, you must have your favourite,” he retorted gloomily. “If you had given the care to Edward you do to Richard he might have been on his feet to welcome me.”
Jehanne turned abruptly away, smarting from the injustice of the rebuke.
“If you had spared Limoges,” she answered, “God’s judgment would not have fallen on you in this matter.”