Nevertheless, he kept Pepper's head in a beeline for Chanctonbury,
never noticing how very ill she was going, and presently crossed the
great High Road beyond which lay the Bush Hovel. The Wise Woman was
at home; from afar the King saw her sitting outside the Hovel
mending her broom with a withe from the Bush.

"Here if anywhere," rejoiced William, "I shall learn the truth."

He dismounted and approached the old woman, cap in hand.

"Wise Woman," he said respectfully, "you know most things, but do
you know this--whether a King should dance or pray or rule in his
Barn?"

"He should do all three, young man," said the Wise Woman.

"But--!" exclaimed William.

"I'm busy," snapped the Wise Woman. "You men will always be
chattering, as though pots need never be stewed nor cobwebs swept."
So saying, she went into the Hovel and slammed the door.

"Pepper," said the poor King, "I am at my wits' ends. Go where yours
lead you."

At this Pepper whinnied in a perfect frenzy of delight, and the King
had to clasp both arms round her neck to avoid tumbling off.

Now the little nag preferred roads to beelines over copses and
ditches, and she turned back and ambled along the highway so very