Page:The Children Who Followed the Piper.djvu/174

THE CHILDREN key and he told them he would bring them to the bride's chamber. He opened the white door and he showed them all the lovely things that were there—all presents for the bride. And on the couch there was a wedding dress; it was woven of gold threads and it had silver spangles upon it. And all golden as it was, it was woven so finely that, as the airs blew upon it, it fluttered here and there.

Golden Hood uttered a cry of gladness and went to lift the dress up off the couch. As she did John Ball snatched it up. He threw the dress upon the flames of the fire, and it went up the chimney in a blaze.

Golden Hood turned upon him with a cry; Valentine took a step near him in anger; the grooms of the chamber begged the Emperor to let them handle him for this second misdemeanor. But the wise Emperor made no sign. Then Valentine said: "Whatever has been done has been well done, for it has been done by my friend and my rescuer, John Ball." And saying