Humpback
Well, it was yesterday, after sundown. The other gardeners had just gone away; I had not yet finished my task, but remained to polish one of those great marble lions, at the Gateway of State. I was working all unsuspicious, when suddenly I heard the great drum and the clanging of the bell, and I saw the watchers descend from their tower to open the great gate. The guards and generals and ministers were all running. I heard it said that the new arrival was the most important of all the invited guests, the Viceroy of the Southern Provinces. How could I make my escape in the midst of all these wonderful personages? It was impossible! I hid behind one of the huge paws of the lion and made myself very small. No one took any notice of me——and I saw, I saw through the pierced globe, you know, which the lion holds in his clutch——.
Fir-Sapling
You saw the Viceroy of the South enter with his retinue?——
Humpback
Yes, I saw! Oh! Such costumes of silk and gold! Such horses shining with gems! Such banners! And some terrible faces, too, some glances awful in their pride!——But when he came, oh! Then I understood that besides him all the others counted for naught. He was pale, with a very weary air, on
