And our hearts be ever gay;
While fools toil we tramp away;
And gold and luck will bring us everything.”
“Do you want more May bliss?” slyly suggested Agaphia close by. “I recognize you now by the song.”
“Ho! was it you?” exclaimed the guard.
“If you are good you may have some,” answered Agaphia; “but you must earn your ‘bliss’ before you get it.”
“Even so,” replied the guard. “I accept the conditions. Come now, don’t be too severe.”
“Very well,” replied Agaphia. “Some things I want to recover have been picked up and locked in the strong chest; you can borrow the key from the veiled woman.”
“You impose a hard task,” responded the guard; “she always carries the key by a chain around her neck. If such be your terms I fear I shall lack May bliss.”
“You shall have some anyway,” answered Agaphia, handing him a small portion.
“Well,” he said, “good will is better even than May bliss; and if chance serves me to secure the key for a short moment, you shall have it.”
