The King looked at his daughter and Attila shook her head.
The Queen had walked to a table at the side of the room and poured into a small medicine glass some rather dark concoction the doctor had prepared for him.
She took it to the bedside and handed it to the King.
“Now drink this,” she ordered, “you know we must do exactly as the doctors have told you.”
“Oh, look, Stepmama!” exclaimed Attila, “there is that beautiful bird you admired yesterday at the fountain.”
Queen Margit turned towards the window.
“Where?” she asked as she reached it.
“It is looking even prettier than when you first saw it,” added Attila.
As she spoke she quickly took away the medicine glass the King was holding in his hand.
She emptied it swiftly into a vase of flowers on the table next to his bed.
“I can
