cerest sympathy. But Peace-Renown was not in her room and this disturbed Maxim. “Where was she?” he thought, at once determining to ask the guards who were stirring about gaily preparing a banquet to welcome their Tukholian guests in proper brotherly fashion. But the answer given by them did not at all dispel Maxim’s uneasiness.
The boyar had left with his daughter early yesterday morning but where had he gone? On what business and when would he return? They did not know. He had commanded them to put up an armed resistance to the Tukholians and whether because he noticed their sullen, unwilling expressions or perhaps because he was pre-occupied with thoughts of other matters, he had cut short his talk with them and ridden away. That was all Maxim could gather from questioning the guards.
It can be readily understood why these facts served to dim his exultation and to throw a shadow of doubt upon the trustworthiness of these new friends. What did it all mean? Was there hidden treachery? Had the boyar planned a trap for them? But Maxim did not wish to reveal his suspicions to all. He whispered warnings to a few of his best friends to be on their guard and himself explored every nook and cranny of the whole house. But he found nothing that would confirm his distrust.
“Fine building!” Maxim remarked to the guards who were now setting the tables, “too bad we shall have to tear it down. Of course we shan’t really wreck or destroy it, but will take it apart carefully and pile up the building materials so the boyar will, whenever he desires to do so, be able to cart them away. Therefore his property must be preserved for him in good condition.”
In the meantime the guards had brought out from the rooms and placed in the hall long oaken tables spread with fine white table cloths, platters of a variety of delicious food and the favorite fermented honey beverage, “mead”.
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