Page:The Children Who Followed the Piper.djvu/25

WHO FOLLOWED THE PIPER and his chain of gold, and the Aldermen had on their embroidered waistcoats. Being in such grandeur themselves they looked with disdain upon the fellow who stood before them, dressed in reds and yellows, with a bagpipe slung across his back and a staff in his hands.

"You needn't have come," said the Mayor. "We would have sent for you, you know."

"And we're very deep in the town's business," said the first of the Aldermen.

When that was said they all expected that the Piper would make his bow and take his leave. Instead of doing that he came right up to the council table.

"I've come for my reward," said he.

The Mayor looked at him as if he expected that the Piper would hold his hat out for such silver as they might be pleased to bestow on him, but the fellow kept the round hat with the goose wings still upon his head.

"I've come for my hundred and fifty gulders," said he.