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"I had barely left my father's castle before I met a stranger," said Sir Hokus,
sitting up very straight, "who challenged me to battle. I spurred my horse
forward, our lances met, and the stranger was unseated. But by my faith,
'twas no mortal Knight." Sir Hokus sighed deeply and lapsed into silence.
"What happened?" asked Dorothy curiously, for Sir Hokus seemed to have
forgotten them.
"The Knight," said he with another mighty sigh, "struck the ground with his
lance and cried, 'Live Wretch, for centuries in the stupidest country out of
the world,' and disappeared. And here--here I am!" With a despairing
gesture, Sir Hokus arose, big tears splashing down his armor.
"I feel that I am brave, very brave, but how am I to know until I have
encountered danger? Ah, friends, behold in me a Knight who has never had
a real adventure, never killed a dragon, nor championed a Lady, nor gone on
a Quest!"
Dropping on his knees before the little girl, Sir Hokus took her hand. "Let
me go with you on this Quest for the valiant Scarecrow. Let me be your good
Night!" he begged eagerly.
"
Good night," coughed the Cowardly Lion, who, to tell the truth, was feeling
a bit jealous. But Dorothy was thrilled, and as Sir Hokus continued to look
at her pleadingly, she took off her hair ribbon and bound it 'round his arm.
"You shall be my own true Knight, and I your Lady Fair!" she announced
solemnly, and exactly as she had read in books.
At this interesting juncture the Cowardly Lion gave a tremendous yawn, and
Sir Hokus with an exclamation of alarm jumped to his feet. The Pokes had
returned to the hall, and Dorothy felt herself falling asleep again.
Up, up, my lieges and away!
We take the field again--
For Ladies
fair we fight today And KING! Up, up, my merry men!
shrilled the Knight as if he were leading an army to battle. The Pokes opened
both eyes, but did not immediately retire. Sir Hokus bravely swallowed a
yawn and hastily clearing his throat shouted another song, which he
evidently made up on the spur of the moment:
Avaunt! Be off! Be gone--Methinks
We'll be asleep in forty winks!
This time the Pokes left sullenly, but the effect of their presence had thrown
Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, and the Knight into a violent fit of the gapes.
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