THE FRUIT OF HAPPINESS

So all the rest of that day they journeyed onward
together, until, towards evening, they came to a town with
high towers and steep roofs and tall spires. The servant’s
companion entered the gate as though he knew the place
right well, and led the way up one street and down
another, until, by-and-by, they came to a noble house that
stood a little apart by itself, with gardens of flowers and
fruit-trees all around it. There the travelling companion
stopped, and, drawing out a little pipe from under his
jacket, began playing so sweetly upon it that it made one’s
heart stand still to listen to the music.

Well, he played and played until, by-and-by, the door
opened, and out came a serving-man. “ Ho piper!” said
he, ‘‘would you like to earn good wages for your playing ?”

“Yes,” said the travelling companion, “I would, for
that is why I came hither.”

“Then follow me,” said the servant, and thereupon
the travelling companion tucked away his pipe and
entered, with the other at his heels.

The house-servant led the way from one room to
another, each grander than the one they left behind, until
at last he came to a great hall where dozens of servants
were serving a fine feast. But only one man sat at table
—a young man with a face so sorrowful that it made a
body’s heart ache to look upon him. ‘Can you play good
music, piper ?” said he.

“Yes,” said the piper, “that I can, for I know a tune
that can cure sorrow. But before I blow my pipe I and
my friend here must have something to eat and drink, for
one cannot play well with an empty stomach.”

“So be it,” said the young man; “sit down with me
and eat and drink.”

203 ~