252 CRADLE TALES OF HINDUISM
of jealousy. Now, therefore, her anger knew no bounds. She taunted her husband with the memory of his early promise, and spoke words so wicked about the child on his knee, that in haste he put him down, and turned to plead with her, as if afraid that her evil prayers might come to pass.
But even a child knows that a strong man or woman is the greatest thing in the whole world, and when his father put him away, Druwa felt as if his heart had broken within him, at finding him weak. Silently, all unnoticed, he touched his feet, and kissed the steps of the throne before him. Then he turned, beckoned to his guard, and went.
It seemed a long way home. But at last they reached the doorway, where the Queen had watched hour after hour, not able to rest, in her terrible fear that something might have happened to her boy. The servant disappeared, and the child lifted the long lath-curtain, and bounded into her presence. Ah, how glad she was to sec him 1 Here, at least, he was at home.
Then they went out into the verandah together, and Druwa began to eat the fruits and cakes that were laid in readiness. While he ate, his graceful young mother watched him anxiously. Yes, it was as she had feared it might be. Theie was a difference. Sometliin^ sad had come into the
