thought the king admired the fox and wished him to
escape.

"Be patient, be patient," said king Muffler, "my counsellor's conduct
should be dignified. Be gentle with the poor widow."

"Pardon me, O king," replied Primeval bowing low. Then turning to the
goose he enquired,

"Are you deaf, dear?"

"Yes, sir," answered she, and receiving such sympathy she screamed
loudly; which was rather annoying to Muffler's ears, for they jerked as
if wasps were at their tips.

When the goose quieted down, Primeval asked: "You don't think of course
there was any snow last night, my dear?" He wanted to coax her to say
there wasn't, for he now thought the king was in her favor.

"I don't remember," answered Stupidify; and Primeval scratched his head
in disgust, while the king gave a muffled laugh.

"O king Muffler," said Primeval, "I can proceed no further, for the
green goose is no use as a witness. Is the explanation given by
Crafticus satisfactory? Does he go free?"

"No," replied the king, "his explanation is cunning, but untrue. I
went to the top of the Topaz Mountain last night to get nearer the ear
of the man in the moon, in order to invite him down to see me and my
country. He did not seem to hear me, although I roared and shouted at
him all night, and during the time I was there not a flake of snow
fell. Therefore my judgment is that Crafticus did know that
Awkwardibus the gander was mine, for it was green and nothing else all
the time. Crafticus, I do therefore sentence you to leave your wife
and children, with all the rest of the Craftikites, and to stay with
widow Stupidify in my barn and its near surroundings, and to provide
food and comfort for her as long as she lives."

This was a deep humiliation, and Crafticus howled with shame and
disgust. When he moved away from the king's presence with the fat
goose waddling by his side, all the hyenas laughed and laughed. And
this was so vexing to him that he slyly turned his head toward
Stupidify and showed her all his teeth in anger.

So they walked away in the direction of the king's barn, which was to
be their home when they were not out in search of food.

* * * * *

That night before the goose came in, Crafticus thought and thought how
he could get rid of Stupidify. At last he rose up and sniffed through
the dried grass in search of Furrier, the black cat.

Furrier was asleep; but Crafticus nipped his left ear gently, and he