Page:Penrod by Booth Tarkington (1914).djvu/55

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PAGEANT OF THE TABLE ROUND
41

The Child Mordred was properly rebuked and denied the accolade, though, like the others, he seemed to have assumed the title already. He made a plotter's exit. Whereupon Maurice Levy rose, bowed, announced that he highted the Child Sir Galahad, and continued with perfect sang-froid:


"I am the purest of the pure.
    I have but kindest thoughts each day.
 I give my riches to the poor,
    And follow in the Master's way."


This elicited tokens of approval from the Child King Arthur, and he bade Maurice "stand forth" and come near the throne, a command obeyed with the easy grace of conscious merit.

It was Penrod's turn. He stepped back from his chair, the table between him and the audience, and began in a high, breathless monotone:


"I hight Sir Lancelot du Lake, the Child,
 Gentul-hearted, meek, and mild.
 What though I'm but a littul child,
 Gentul-heartud, meek, and mild,
 I do my share though but—though but——"


Penrod paused and gulped. The voice of Mrs.