48 THE WONDER-BOOK OF HORSES 



He talked with his brother, or told wondrous 

 stories in the hearing of the Queen, but not once 

 did he speak of the business upon which he had 

 come. 



The next morning, when he thought that Hela 

 was in her pleasantest mood, Hermod asked 

 whether Balder might not ride home with him 

 to his sorrowing mother, whose heart would be 

 broken if he did not return. 



" Does she weep for him ? " asked the Queen. 



" Yes, and not only she, but my father and his 

 counselors, and our brothers and sisters — all the 

 household of Odin weep." 



" There are so many such households that, if 

 weeping availed anything, I should soon be de- 

 prived of all my subjects. There is no home that 

 does not weep for its loved ones." 



" But all mankind weeps for Balder." 



"All mankind? Well, if that be true, there 

 is some reason for your request, but not enough." 



" All living creatures mourn for him," added 

 Hermod. 



" Indeed ! But I should weep if you were to 

 take him away from me. Do things that are life- 

 less also grieve for him ? " 



" Truly they do. The very rocks shed tears, as 



