"Thou dost endanger our heads by this
change."
The old man shook his head and smiled a silly smile. "Nay," he made
answer. "I would not endanger thy head, for that would endanger the
mole upon thy nose, and so my fortune. Thou doest me wrong."
Humphrey looked at him attentively and saw that a temporary weakness of
mind due to his age had overtaken him. So he said in a soothing tone:
"Where didst thou leave thy nurse's garb? I pray thee put it on again."
Again there came the sly look over the old man's withered face. "I do
know where I did leave it," he said; "but I put it not on again. The
friend I have to my counsel did bid me put it on, and I did obey him,
for he is a magician. But I like it not, and I will wear it no more.
Why, look thou," he continued earnestly. "When I wear it I must remain
with the young lord, and be not free to consort with other men, and see
and hear all that goeth on. Wherefore I will wear it no more."
Humphrey looked at him in despair. Then he said with assumed
cheerfulness: "I will now make thy fortune for thee. So mayest thou
return to the wood while we journey on.
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