at one o'clock to close the forge and go to visit my Great-Aunt. I
will be work again on Monday, till when you must shift for
yourself."

The King could hardly believe his luck in having matters so well
settled, and he spent the morning so diligently that by noon he had
produced a shoe which, if not that of a master-craftsman, was at
least adaptable to the purpose for which it had been fashioned.

The Lad examined it and said reluctantly, "It will do," and
proceeded to show the King how to fasten it to Pepper's hoof.

"Why," said the King, having the nag's off forefoot in his hand,
"here's a stone in it. Small wonder she limped."

"It isn't a stone," said the Lad, extracting it, "it is a ruby."

And he exhibited to the King a ruby of such a glowing red that it
was as though the souls of all the grapes of Burgundy had been
pressed to create it.

"You are a rich man now," said the Lad quietly, "and can live as you
will."

But William closed the Lad's fingers over the stone. "Keep it," he
said, "for you have filled me for a week, and I have paid you with
nothing but my breath."

"As you please," said the Lad carelessly, and, tossing the stone
upon a shelf, locked up the forge. "Now I am going to my Great-Aunt.