"I desire nothing for what I have done."
"O thou Jack Fool!" thought Brother Merry to himself. Then, nudging
his comrade's side, he said--
"Don't be so silly. If you won't have anything, yet I need somewhat."
The saint, however, would take nothing, but as the king saw that his
companion would gladly have a gift, he commanded the keeper of his
treasures to fill his knapsack with gold, at which Brother Merry was
right pleased.
Again they went upon their way till they came to a wood, when the
saint said to his fellow-traveller--
"Now we will share the gold."
"Yes," replied the soldier, "that we can."
Then the saint took the gold and divided it into three portions.
"Well," thought Brother Merry, "what whim has he got in his head now,
making three parcels, and only two of us?"
"Now," said the saint, "I have divided it fairly, one for me, and one
for you, and one for him who ate the heart."
"Oh, I ate that," said the soldier, quickly taking up the gold. "I
did, I assure you."
"How can that be true?" replied the saint. "A lamb has no heart."
"Ay! what, brother? What are you thinking of? A lamb has no heart?
Very good! When every beast has why should that one be without?"
"Now that is very good," said the saint. "Take all the gold yourself,
for I shall remain no more with you, but will go my own way alone."
"As you please, Brother Heart," answered the soldier. "A pleasant
journey to you, my hearty."