HAPPY 



I roused myself, somewhat confused. "Queen- 

 Mother!" I stammered. 



"Yes. Won't you take me to her?" 



I hardly knew how to answer; I had never seen her 

 myself, although I knew from Crip's story and from 

 some unknown source that there was somewhere a 

 reigning spirit. But my life had been so brief and I 

 had already learned so many things, I said, as lightly 

 as I might, "Let us go." 



He seemed to know the way to her. He hobbled 

 along as best he might on his five legs. He was now no 

 longer suspected as an intruder, and we marched without 

 interruption. Presently we climbed through a hole in a 

 comb and came face to face with our Queen-Mother. 



I stopped, dazed, overcome by her serenity. The 

 grace and magnificent proportions of her body and the 

 fire of her eyes held me entranced. I shall not live long 

 enough fitly to describe my emotions. There she was, 

 queenly and wonderful, and yet simple as any one of us. 

 She approached us and appeared to nod, as if to say, 

 "I salute you, my children." Then she went on with 

 her labors. 



I turned to Crip. He was speechless. 



Immediately we started back to our cell, for it was 

 henceforth to be his also. 



"It is strange," he said. "I do not understand it. 

 Life and death are in her keeping, and yet she knows 

 it not. You and I don't count for much. We pass 

 like the leaves, but life everlasting lingers in her body 

 the very spirit of things ranges through her. But I am 

 content with my insignificant place, to live my life, 

 doing my duty from day to day." 



42 



