The boy held both hands before him, and looked with quivering eyes on the bright blade, but still he cried, in an agitated voice, “Oh, I cannot! I must not! I dare not do it!”
“Enough! enough!” cried the tutor. “Put up your sword and step back, Mr. Hunter. Be quiet, my brave boy. No harm shall be done you. You have well resisted temptation. You are a noble soul! Go, ask the permission of your young friend, and then come and show us the nest. You shall share the piece of gold between you!”
“Good! good!” said the boy, “this evening I will have an answer for you!”
The prince and tutor went back to the castle, to which they had come the day before, to enjoy the season of spring.
“The nobleness of that boy surprises me,” said the tutor, as they went along. “He is a jewel which cannot be too much prized. He has in him the elements of a great character. So we may often find, under the thatched roof, truth and virtues which the palace does not often present to view.”
After they returned, the tutor inquired of the steward if he knew anything about the shepherd-boy.
“He is a fine boy,” said the steward. “His name is George. His father is poor, but is known all around for an honest, upright, sensible man.”
After the prince’s studies were ended for the day, he went to the window, and immediately said, “Aha, the little George is waiting for us. He tends his small flock of sheep by the wood, and often looks toward the castle.”
“Then we will go and hear what answer he brings us,” said the tutor.
They left the castle together and went to the place where George tended his sheep.