But as they went away together, the one who
bore the shield said to the other that they should not give the
message, for it was discourteous and might do harm to themselves. But
the other was for telling the truth, since they could call Gilbert's
men to witness of the words.
"And if we are caught in a lie," he said, "we shall be well beaten."
For they were young and were pages, not yet squires, and still under
education.
"Also we shall be beaten if we say things un-courtly to the Queen,"
retorted the first.
"This air smells of sticks," said the other, as he sniffed, and laughed
at his jest, but somewhat nervously.
"You shall speak for us," concluded his companion, "for you are the
truth-teller."
So they came to the Queen, and laid the blank shield at her feet, and
neither would say anything.
"Saw you the gentleman to whom it belongs?" she asked.
"Yes, Madam!" they answered in one breath.
"And said he anything? Have you no message?"
"He said, Madam--" said one, and stopped short.
"Yes, Madam, he said that we should tell your Grace--"
But the page's courage failed him, and he stopped.
"What said he?" asked Eleanor, bending her brows. "Speak out!"
"May it please your Grace, the gentleman said that it was his father's
shield."
"And that he craved excuse if it were of an old fashion," added the
other.
"And that he would not sell it," concluded the one who was the bolder
of the two.
Then he shrank back, and his companion too, and they seemed trying to
get behind each other; for the Queen's eyes flashed wrath, and her
beautiful lips parted a little over her gleaming teeth, that were
tightly closed.
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