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The woman sent the children into the house. Then she came closer to the
strangers and whispered: "If only we had a different King, we would be very
happy and contented."
"
What's the matter with your King?" asked Trot, curiously. But the woman
seemed frightened to have said so much. She retreated to her porch, merely
saying:
"
"
"
The King punishes severely any treason on the part of his subjects."
What's treason?" asked Button-Bright.
In this case," replied Cap'n Bill, "treason seems to consist of knockin' the
King; but I guess we know his disposition now as well as if the lady had said
more."
"
I wonder," said Trot, going up to the woman, "if you could spare us something
to eat. We haven't had anything but popcorn and lemonade for a long time."
"
Bless your heart! Of course I can spare you some food," the woman answered,
and entering her cottage she soon returned with a tray loaded with
sandwiches, cakes and cheese. One of the children drew a bucket of clear,
cold water from a spring and the three wanderers ate heartily and enjoyed the
good things immensely.
When Button-Bright could eat no more he filled the pockets of his jacket with
cakes and cheese, and not even the children objected to this. Indeed they all
seemed pleased to see the strangers eat, so Cap'n Bill decided that no matter
what the King of Jinxland was like, the people would prove friendly and
hospitable.
"
Whose castle is that, yonder, ma'am?" he asked, waving his hand toward the
towers that rose above the trees.
"
"
"
It belongs to his Majesty, King Krewl." she said.
Oh, indeed; and does he live there?"
When he is not out hunting with his fierce courtiers and war captains," she
replied.
"
Is he hunting now?" Trot inquired.
"
I do not know, my dear. The less we know about the King's actions the safer
we are."
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