THE GOOD OF A FEW WORDS

Again all happened just as the princess said.

Beppo came to the palace, and again the king whispered
in his ear. As he did so Beppo looked at the prime-
minister and smiled, and then he withdrew.

The prime-minister followed him. He trembled. ‘It
is well,” said Beppo, “and I wish you joy.”

The prime-minister grasped his hand and wrung it.
“ My lord,” said he, ‘“how can I express my gratitude!
The palace of my son that stands by the river—I would
that you would use it for your own, if I may be so bold
as to offer it to you.”

“J will,” said Beppo, “use it as my own.”

The prime-minister wrung his hand again, and then
Beppo rode away.

The next time that Beppo spoke to the king, at the prin-
cess’s bidding, he looked at the lord-treasurer, and said, as
he had said to the prime-minister, ‘Alas, my poor friend !”

When he rode away he left the lord-treasurer as white
as ashes to the very lips.

Three days passed, and then, while the king talked to
Beppo, Beppo looked at the lord-treasurer and smiled.

The lord-treasurer followed him to the door of the
palace. ;

“Tt is well, and I wish you joy,” said Beppo.

The treasurer offered him a fortune.

The next time it was the same with the captain of the
guards. First Beppo pitied him, and then he wished
him joy.

“My lord,” said the captain of the guards, “ my services
are yours at any time.”

Then the same thing happened to the governor of the
city, then to this lord, and then to that lord.

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