helpmeet. She lied so well that once or twice almost I believed her.
At any rate I took her at her word, not altogether for myself, believe
me, Master, but because without doubt what the holy Tanofir has shown
us will come to pass, and it is necessary to you that I should be
married."

"You married her to help me, Bes?"

"That is so, Master--after all, but a little thing, seeing that she is
beautiful, well born and very pleasant, and I am fond of her. Also I
do her no wrong for she has bought more than she bargained for, and if
she has any that are not dwarfs, her children may be kings. I do not
think," he added reflectively, "that even the faithful Ethiopians
could accept a second dwarf as their king. One is very well for a
change, but not two or three. The stomach of a tall people would turn
against them."

I took Bes's hand and pressed it, understanding the depth of his love
and sacrifice. Also some spirit--doubtless it came from the holy
Tanofir--moved me to say,

"Be comforted, Bes, for I am sure of this. Your children will be
strong and straight and tall, more so than any of their forefathers
that went before them."

This indeed proved to be the case, for their father's deformity was
but an accident, not born in his blood.

"Those are good-omened words, Master, for which I thank you, though
the holy Tanofir said the like when he wed us with the sacred words