Page:St. Nicholas (serial) (IA stnicholasserial321dodg).pdf/39
of the high counselors could collect themselves to answer, he continued: “Beg pardon, but do you think his Majesty will die?” And the next moment he would say: “Beg pardon, but do you think his Majesty is any better or any worse?”
And all this was so annoying to the high counselors that several times one of them took up some object in the room with the intention of hurling it at Jikki’s head; but before he could throw it the old servant had nervously turned away and left the room.
Tellydeb, the lord high executioner, would often sigh: “I wish there were some law that would permit me to chop off Jikki’s head.” But then Tullydub, the chief counselor, would say gloomily: “There is no law but the king’s will, and he insists that Jikki be allowed to live.”
So they were forced to bear with Jikki as best they could; but after the king breathed his last breath the old servant became more nervous and annoying than ever.
“‘No!’ They all shouted in a breath.” (see page 8.)
Hearing that the king was dead, Jikki made a rush for the door of the bell-tower, but tripped over the foot of Tollydob and fell upon the marble floor so violently that his bones rattled, and he picked himself up half dazed by the fall.
“Where are you going?” asked Tollydob.
“To toll the bell for the king’s death,” answered Jikki.
“Well, remain here until we give you permission to go,’ commanded the lord high general.
“But the bell ought to be tolled!” said Jikki.
“Be silent!” growled the lord high purse-bearer. “We know what ought to be done and what ought not to be done.”
But this was not strictly true. In fact, the five high counselors did not know what onght to be done under these strange circumstances.
If they told the people the king was dead, and did not immediately appoint his successor, then the whole population would lose faith in them and fall to fighting and quarreling among themselves as to who should become king; and that would never in the world do.
No; it was evident that a new king must be chosen before they told the people that the old king was dead.
But whom should they choose for the new king? That was the important question.