| 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 |
| 1 | 22 | 45 | 67 | 89 |
|
www.freeclassicebooks.com
Very clearly he told them the story of Claus, beginning at the time when as a
babe he had been adopted a child of the Forest, and telling of his noble and
generous nature and his life-long labors to make children happy.
"
And now," said Ak, "when he had won the love of all the world, the Spirit of
Death is hovering over him. Of all men who have inhabited the earth none
other so well deserves immortality, for such a life can not be spared so long as
there are children of mankind to miss him and to grieve over his loss. We
immortals are the servants of the world, and to serve the world we were
permitted in the Beginning to exist. But what one of us is more worthy of
immortality than this man Claus, who so sweetly ministers to the little
children?"
He paused and glanced around the circle, to find every immortal listening to
him eagerly and nodding approval. Finally the King of the Wind Demons, who
had been whistling softly to himself, cried out:
"
"
What is your desire, O Ak?"
To bestow upon Claus the Mantle of Immortality!" said Ak, boldly.
That this demand was wholly unexpected was proved by the immortals
springing to their feet and looking into each other's face with dismay and then
upon Ak with wonder. For it was a grave matter, this parting with the Mantle
of Immortality.
The Queen of the Water Sprites spoke in her low, clear voice, and the words
sounded like raindrops splashing upon a window-pane.
"
In all the world there is but one Mantle of Immortality," she said.
The King of the Sound Fays added:
It has existed since the Beginning, and no mortal has ever dared to claim it."
And the Master Mariner of the World arose and stretched his limbs, saying:
"
"
"
Only by the vote of every immortal can it be bestowed upon a mortal."
I know all this," answered Ak, quietly. "But the Mantle exists, and if it was
created, as you say, in the Beginning, it was because the Supreme Master
knew that some day it would be required. Until now no mortal has deserved
it, but who among you dares deny that the good Claus deserves it? Will you
not all vote to bestow it upon him?"
7
9
Page
Quick Jump
|