Page:Peregrinaggio di tre giovani figliuoli del re di Serendippo.djvu/53

 He added again that they also had to report to the Queen what he had done and that he himself would give her a full account. When the Queen was informed of this by her barons, she gave the order that the young man should come into her presence. When he appeared before the Queen, she asked him how he intended to have satisfied the promise by eating only four grains of salt. He replied that anyone who would have eaten with his friend as much salt as he had placed in his mouth at the warehouse, and would not have known what is obliged by friendship, would never have known it when he ate it, whether it would have been stored in ten warehouses or in a single one. Therefore, he believed that he had fulfilled his promise completely.

The Queen greatly appreciated the answer given; for this was what her father had taught her when the statement was dubious, and she highly praised the young man for his subtle foresight. Then she said, "Now, there is something else, and if you can solve it for me, then I will regard you more as gods then as men.”

"And in this too," replied the youngest brother, "give me your attention, Madam, at whatever time you would like me to satisfy you." He was given the order to come to the royal palace the following morning. He appeared before the Queen at the set hour. She ordered everyone to leave the room, and only her first counselor, and the young man to remain with her.