Sylvie and Bruno . ithgreat decision, crossing the room and opening acupboard, from which she presently returnedwith two slices of plum-cake. Eat, and dontcry ! were her short and simple orders : andthe poor children sat down side by side, butseemed in no mood for eating. For the second time the door opened or rather was burd open, this time, as Uggugrushed violently into the room, shouting thatold Beggars come again ! • Hes not to have any food the Vice-Warden was beginning, but the Chancellorinterrupted him. Its all right, he said, in alow voice : the servants have their orders. Hes just und
Sylvie and Bruno . ithgreat decision, crossing the room and opening acupboard, from which she presently returnedwith two slices of plum-cake. Eat, and dontcry ! were her short and simple orders : andthe poor children sat down side by side, butseemed in no mood for eating. For the second time the door opened or rather was burd open, this time, as Uggugrushed violently into the room, shouting thatold Beggars come again ! • Hes not to have any food the Vice-Warden was beginning, but the Chancellorinterrupted him. Its all right, he said, in alow voice : the servants have their orders. Hes just under here, said Uggug, who hadgone to the window, and w^as looking down intothe court-yard. Where, my darling ? said his fond mother,flinging her arms round the neck of the littlemonster. All of us (except Sylvie and Bruno,who took no notice of what was going on)followed her to the window. The old Beggarlooked up at us with hungry eyes. Only acrust of bread, your Highness! he pleaded. f IV] A CUNNING CONSPIRACY. 53. ^^^^ He was a fine old man, but ^ looked sadly ill and worn. *-^ A crust of bread is what I crave ! he rej^eated, A single crust, and a little water ! Heres somewater, drink this ! Uggug bellowed, emp-tying a jug of water overhis head. Well done, my boy!cried the Vice-Warden. Thats the way to settlesuch folk! Clever boy! the Wardeness chimed in. Hasnt he good spirits } Take a stick to him ! shouted 54 SVLVI1-: AM) IJRUNU. the Vice-Warden, as the old Beggar shook thewater from his ragged cloak, and again gazedmeekly upwards. Take a red-hot poker to him ! my Ladyaofain chimed in. Possibly there was no red-hot poker handy :but some sticks were forthcoming In a moment,and threatening faces surrounded the poor oldwanderer, who waved them back with quietdignity. No need to break my old bones,he said. I am going. Not even a crust! Voor,poor old man ! exclaimed a little voiceat my side, half choked with sobs. Bruno wasat the window, trying to throw out his slice ofplum-cake
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