It was done. None remained but the two officials, the accused, the accuser,

And Miles Hendon. This latter was rigid and colorless, and on his forehead big

Drops of cold sweat gathered, broke and blended together, and trickled down

His face. The judge turned to the woman again, and said, in a compassionate

voice:

''Tis a poor ignorant lad, and mayhap was driven hard by hunger, for these

Be grievous times for the unfortunate; mark you, he hath not an evil face —

but when hunger driveth — Good woman! dost know that when one steals a

thing above the value of thirteen pence ha'penny the law saith he shall hang

for it?'

The little king started, wide-eyed with consternation, but controlled himself

And held his peace; but not so the woman. She sprang to her feet, shaking with

fright and cried out:

'Oh, good lack, what have I done! God-a-mercy, I would not hang the poor

thing for the whole world! Ah, save me from this, your worship — what shall

I do, what can I do?'

The justice maintained his judicial composure, and simply said:

'Doubtless it is allowable to revise the value, since it is not yet writ upon the

record.'

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'Then in God's name call the pig eightpence, and heaven bless the day that

freed my conscience of this awesome thing!'

Miles Hendon forgot all decorum in his delight; and surprised the king and