[CodeDragon] R-to-Empire sweet milk for supper,

[Orscheln <il...@ai...>]

St magnificent entertainments that ever were seen. So long as winter
lasted these had to be held in the Bala Hissar, where a sound of music
and a ripple of laughter was to be heard day and night; but as spring
began once more to carpet the barren hills with millions of flowers,
Humayon's amusements went further afield. One day he and his Court, a
glittering cohort of merry men, flashing with diamonds, and prepared to
enjoy everything, would ride out many miles to see the great groves of
Judas trees flushed with their pink blossoms; ride out to find a
magnificent camp awaiting them, a magnificent repast prepared, and all
the best singers and dancers in Kabul ready to amuse them. Then the next
day, mayhap, they would all go a-hawking, and at each and all of these
diversions Humayon's little son was part of his father's enjoyment, and
so naturally, became more and more of a man every day. He used to ride
on Horse-chestnut, and Tumbu was always of the party, getting in
consequence rather too fat, by reason of the rich food which was given
him. But despite all this fun and jollity little Prince Akbar was not
quite satisfied. "You took my mother away with you to the hills," he
would say to his father. "Why didn't you bring her back with you? I want
to see her." Then King Humayon would laugh--for he was always merry--and
bid his little son be patient. His mother would come with the spring. At
present she was in Persia, but so soon as the passes were open she would
start for Kabul. And then there would be fun! Whereupon little Prince
Akbar would smile a dignified smile, and say, _of course_ there would be
fun! Now out of this arose a plan which came into King Humayon's head,
as so many other plans came, without very much thought; for he was full
of kindly, not over-wise fancies. And this one was that little Prince
Akbar should choose his own mother! It would be rather a hard task for a
child who had not seen her for two years and a half, and who was but a
baby of less than eighteen months old when he had parted from her! But
Humayon was convinced that _his_ son would remember; and anyway, even if
he did not, no harm would be done and it would be very amusing. So
orders were g