The door opened into a side hall about a foot higher than the giant's head; for though he had to stoop to enter, when once in he easily stood upright.
"Pray be seated," said Hepsone; "and as we have an hour left before breakfast, let us talk a little. May I ask why you came here—on business or pleasure?"
"On pleasure, I hope," replied Gofaster; "and that I may more readily secure it I should like to know something about the King, the royal family, and the nobles of the people. Is your King a good one?"
"As kings go, yes," replied Hepsone. "As his faithful subject, I have no fault to find with him, nor is there any occasion. He rules as justly as his Prime-minister, Count Snarlitz, will let him, is very kind-hearted and anxious for the good of his people, but he generally leaves public affairs to his ministers, especially in the season of hunting, of which sport he is very fond. He hunts to-day in the forest a mile beyond, and if you care to look at him you need only go there after breakfast, and probably will be able to cross his path. As for the royal family, it is a very small one. The Queen died five years since, and the King has declared that he will never again marry. He has only one child, a daughter, who is distinguished from the ladies of the Court by the fact that she is nearly as tall as you. She is very lovely, in spite of her size, and is almost worshipped by the mass of people, who desire to see her mated in order that the succession may not go to a distant connection of the King, a man who is hated by all classes. As for the people, they are like the people everywhere, I suppose. There is a sprinkling of honest men, another of wise men, as many as both of rogues, and all the rest are fools."
In the course of the conversation Gofaster learned some facts of interest. He found that life must be very dreary indeed during the six months of night the people had, their main light coming from torches made from split pieces of pine, and all business being suspended not only during hours of sleep, but in the intervals of meals, until the six months of day came back. He also learned that the people suffered every month from a species of water famine. The water was supplied from a reservoir on a high hill back of the city, which was fed from a large spring; for a month at a time the spring ceased to flow, the reservoir was drained dry, and water for domestic purposes of any kind had to be brought from a distance.
In this reservoir there lived a huge water dragon over fifty feet long who was called Slander; and no one could get there to examine the cause of the stoppage on account of the breath of this brute, which breath poisoned every one who came within reach of it.
After more conversation breakfast was announced, and our traveller found the meal to be a very good one and well served, though his seat was so low that as he sat there his knees were on a level with the top of the table. After breakfast he asked Hepsone how he should manage to purchase a wardrobe, as he supposed there was no ready-made clothing in the city beyond which would fit him.
"As for that," said Hepsone, "there need be no trouble. I know a very worthy tailor who will be glad to make you anything that you desire at the shortest notice, and though he makes for some of the nobles of the Court, will be ready, for cash, to do it reasonably. If you say so, I will send for him at once."
To this Gofaster assented, and said he would go to the forest when the meal closed, and see if his Majesty and the nobles were there, engaged in the hunt. "But," he added, "I might meet with some wild beast, and should like to have a weapon to defend myself."
"As for that," replied Hepsone, "I can serve you there too. I had a lodger a year since who was here with the hope of marrying the Princess Amber, but he failed to win her favor or do anything worthy of note. His money ran out at the last, and in part settlement of his account with me he left a very valuable sword. As it is too long for any of our people, I have had it by me ever since. You might gird that upon you, but, if I may advise you, I would also take that battle-axe you see on the wall, which you will find a more ready weapon in a close encounter."