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He dropped asleep as the dawn appeared. Toward noon he rose, uncovered
his unconscious ward--a section at a time--and took his measure with a
string. The King awoke, just as he had completed his work, complained of
the cold, and asked what he was doing.
"'Tis done, now, my liege," said Hendon; "I have a bit of business
outside, but will presently return; sleep thou again--thou needest it.
There--let me cover thy head also--thou'lt be warm the sooner."
The King was back in dreamland before this speech was ended. Miles
slipped softly out, and slipped as softly in again, in the course of
thirty or forty minutes, with a complete second-hand suit of boy's
clothing, of cheap material, and showing signs of wear; but tidy, and
suited to the season of the year. He seated himself, and began to
overhaul his purchase, mumbling to himself--
"A longer purse would have got a better sort, but when one has not the
long purse one must be content with what a short one may do--
"
"
'There was a woman in our town, In our town did dwell--'
He stirred, methinks--I must sing in a less thunderous key; 'tis not
good to mar his sleep, with this journey before him, and he so wearied
out, poor chap . . . This garment--'tis well enough--a stitch here and
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