The next day, Arthur rummaged through the books Dorinda had supplied to find an apt story to read her. He had something in mind, at last he found the precise tale that he desired, “The Hound and the King’s Nephew.”
“The celebrated king of the Arthurian tales,” he began “was out riding one day with his nephew Robert who enjoyed the king’s special favor as the eldest of his sister’s three boys. Regrettably, the lad was mute from birth. Quick-witted and agile, Robert compensated for his limitation by an eagerness to please, and to learn. Ever watchful of the king, he had sought opportunities to serve or aid his uncle.
“Now, they were riding through the royal forest with Robert’s beloved hound Hrothgar by his side. The lad had raised Hrothgar and trained him well. As they passed through a cedar grove, Hrothgar erratically bounded ahead and out of sight. Even though he did not know what was troubling Hrothgar, he recognized the sound as a warning. By contrast his uncle seemed undaunted, or perhaps oblivious to the noise.”
“Kneeling at the foot of the cliff, where tiny drops of water trickled down, King Arthur had cupped his hands for a drink. It was a mere dribble of water and the king had developed a potent thirst. Impatiently the king waited until his hand were full of water.”
“With anxious foreboding Robert watched and listened while Hrothgar continued to bark madly. Although he feared that something in the water might be noxious, being mute, Robert was unable to warn his uncle. He took the only course of action he could envision to accomplish his objective swiftly. Rushing to his uncle’s side, the water was knocked from his hands.
“Irately, King Arthur shouted at the boy telling him that he was parched and needed water.
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