Chapter 7

‘Such as what?’ asked the Prince, interested now.

‘He wants people to be kind to one another: that’s about all,’ said Simon. ‘Everyone is to be kind and helpful, all the way up and down from the pauper to the…’ He hesitated, and the Prince, frowning a little, crisply provided the obvious word. It was evident that he was annoyed. His voice was challenging as he went on.

‘So—this fellow is trying to make the people restless! Everybody is to be generous, eh? The pauper is as good as the Prince, eh? Is that it?’

‘Not if I heard rightly, sire.’ There was a stiffening dignity in Simon’s voice now. His frown deepened. He didn’t like the arrogant tone of this spoiled youngster. After all, he hadn’t arranged this interview; nor was he on trial. ‘Quite the contrary,’ he continued courageously; ‘the Carpenter wants peace among the people. If a man is badly used by his oppressors, let him find his happiness inside himself.’

‘A good thought.’ There was a touch of mockery in the Prince’s voice, though he had mended his temper somewhat. ‘And how does a man go about it—to find happiness inside himself?’

‘He leaves off fretting about the things he does not have,’ explained Simon, ‘and he gives less heed to caring for the few things he does have. Thus he is freed from worry lest thieves should make off with his small possessions.’

‘And after the fellow says that,’ sneered the Prince, ‘he probably passes his cap through the crowd, inviting them to pay him for advising them to have nothing.’ They all chuckled a little at this cynical gibe—all but Simon who remarked quietly, ‘He has no cap, sire.’ There was a moment of silent embarrassment here, Simon having inadvertently flavoured the talk with a bit of disconcerting sincerity.

‘How about these strange deeds?’ demanded the Prince.

‘One hears differing opinions, sire,’ said Simon. ‘Some claim to have seen miracles performed, others try to explain them, still others doubt them.’

‘Our servant says you are now on your way to hear him again. Does that mean that you yourself believe him honest? Surely you would not make the journey if you considered him an out-and-out mountebank!’

‘I am hoping to find out, sire,’ murmured Simon. Observing that the Prince’s friends were growing restless, he added respectfully, ‘May I go now?’

The Prince shrugged and made a negligent gesture as if to say it was of no concern to him whether the big, burly fisherman ambled off at once or remained here for the rest of his life. He laid a jewelled hand on the pommel of his saddle.