"Then I bring a message from Prince Hath, saying it would pleasure him
greatly if you would eat the morning meal with him."

"Why," I answered, "it is very civil indeed, but I have breakfasted
already."

"And so has Hath," said the boy, gently yawning. "You see I came here
early this morning, but knowing you would pass sooner or later I thought
it would save me the trouble if I lay down till you came--those quaint
people who built these places were so prodigal of steps," and smiling
apologetically he sank back on his couch and began toying with a leaf.

"Sweet fellow," I said, and you will note how I was getting into their
style of conversation, "get back to Hath when you have rested, give
him my most gracious thanks for the intended courtesy, but tell him
the invitation should have started a week earlier; tell him from me,
you nimble-footed messenger, that I will post-date his kindness and come
tomorrow; say that meanwhile I pray him to send any ill news he has for
me by you. Is the message too bulky for your slender shoulders?"
`
"No," said the boy, rousing himself slowly, "I will take it," and then he
prepared to go. He turned again and said, without a trace of incivility,
"But indeed, stranger, I wish you would take the message yourself.
This is the third flight of stairs I have been up today."

Everywhere it was the same friendly indolence. Half the breakfasters
were lying on coloured shawls in groups about the square; the other half
were strolling off--all in one direction, I noticed--as slowly as could
be towards the open fields beyond; no one was active or had anything to