Page:Meda - a tale of the future.djvu/270

266 further round, and so the shifting scene will go on for ages and ages as endless as the space the comet has retired into.

With such thoughts as these I beguiled many hours while the ladies were busy. I seemed to be the only idle person in the kingdom; and I often wished I had had some occupation, I felt so like a pet dog that was made much of, but was absolutely of no use except for the amusement of those around. For one who used to take a leading part in his country's affairs, and who was considered a man of some parts, the position I now occupied was to me a mean one. I wished I could do something, but what could I do? The merest child knew more than I knew. I chafed and grumbled to myself, but what was the use? I could not help my position, so must put up with it. I therefore determined to be as happy as I could. I can't say how long I had been residing with the Recorder; but as far as I could put days together, I made it out to be about three months. I had been able to pick up many