A shout of approval went up from the multitude.
“And will you,” said I, turning to Figli, “lead these people in the ways of goodness and mercy, and help them to forget?”
“If you think I can,” said Figli, standing up very straight, “I will try.”
“And will you,” said I to the Blind Bowler, “keep faithfully at his right hand, and never fail him?”
“That I will!” said the Blind Bowler. “Keep everlastingly at it, that’s the motto!”
“The great King, my father,” said I, turning again to the people, “will build your city ten times fairer than it was. I have given directions for your help already, and food and shelter will soon be at hand. Farewell! I leave you in the care of a blind man and a child! A sound heart and a cheerful mind, my friends, are better than an army. Farewell!”
The multitude shouted back farewell, and my friend Urban and myself each kissed Figli on the cheek; but my daughter kissed him on both cheeks and hugged him to her heart; and then we went down the steps, leaving the pale and beautiful boy and the blind man alone, and passed out across the park through a lane opened in the crowd, down into the city toward the city gate.
The Eight Tailors Stand Before Them in a Row
As we came to the last street corner before reaching the city wall, my daughter pulled forth a handful of figs from her pocket and divided them laughingly with Urban and myself; and at that moment a party of eight men filed solemnly from around the corner, and came to a stop before us in a row. It was the eight tailors. They bowed gravely, and the first one of them said:
“Excellency, we implore you to take pity upon us. Our master is gone, our occupation is gone, we are friendless and alone; we can live no longer in the city of Oogh.”