Sword of the Silver Knight by Gertrude Chandler Warner Page A

beautiful princess.”
    Violet’s eyes were shining. “That does sound wonderful,” she said in her quiet voice.
    “And during the show we serve a delicious medieval meal,” Hannah went on. “Roasted chicken, vegetable soup, and apple tart.”
    “Now that sounds wonderful to me,” said Benny, grinning. Henry, Jessie, and Violet laughed. They knew their little brother loved to eat.
    “I bet you’ll like it even more when you hear how they used to eat in medieval times,” Hannah said. “No silverware. And that’s how we do it here. Everyone eats with their hands.”
    “Even the soup?” Benny asked, his eyes wide.
    “You drink it right out of your bowl,” Hannah said.
    “Wow!” said Benny. “Grandfather would never let us do that at home.”
    The Aldens had lived with their grandfather since shortly after their parents died. At first the children had run away, fearing their grandfather would be mean. They lived for a while in the woods, in a boxcar from an old train. But once they learned how kind their grandfather was, they came to live with him. He had moved the boxcar to their backyard so they could play in it.
    Just then the sound of a trumpet rang through the air. Hannah looked at her watch. “They must be starting the dress rehearsal for the show. Would you like to come see it? You can be our test audience.”
    The Aldens’ faces lit up. “Sure!” said Benny.
    Hannah led the way. The children sat down beside her in the front row. Since this was only a rehearsal, the rest of the seats were empty.
    A mandolin player strolled about singing and plucking lively tunes on his mandolin. A jester wearing a brightly colored checkered leotard worked his way around the ring, juggling and doing cartwheels.
    When the strolling performers left the ring, the lights in the seating area dimmed and bold music filled the air. The Aldens sat on the edges of their seats, eager to see what would happen next.
    One by one, knights on horseback raced in, their shiny armor glinting in the bright arena lights, their colorful capes rippling. Each knight carried a shield and a banner. Each banner showed the knight’s symbol—a lion, an eagle, a castle, a star, or a rearing stallion.
    The horses were draped with colorful banners to match the knights’ outfits. Some had brightly colored ribbons braided into their tails.
    Most magnificent of all was the Silver Knight, who came in last. His banner and his horse sparkled with silver.
    As the knights passed by, they waved to the children, who waved back and cheered. The Silver Knight tossed roses to Jessie and Violet.
    “I hope the Silver Knight wins,” said Benny.
    “Me, too,” Violet agreed.
    Now the knights filed back out of the ring. The music grew quiet. A man in a long black cape entered, carrying a microphone. A lone spotlight shone down on him as he began to speak. “Welcome to our medieval fair, gentlemen and fair maids. I am the master of ceremonies. Let me introduce our noble king, His Royal Highness King Richard.”
    Spotlights lit up a royal-looking man with a white beard and white hair who was sitting on a throne. He wore a red velvet cape lined with fur. On his head was a crown studded with jewels. The king stood up to greet the audience. He nodded his head as he looked slowly around the darkened arena. The Aldens could see that a sword with a jeweled handle hung from his belt.
    Benny whispered, “Wow, is he a real king?”
    “No, he’s an actor,” said Hannah. “His name is Richard Worthington.”
    “He makes a great king,” said Jessie.
    “Oh, yes,” Hannah agreed. “Just wait until you meet him. He really believes he is a king.”
    Then the master of ceremonies spoke again from the center of the ring. “Now I present the king’s fair daughter, Princess Annabel.” A beautiful young woman stepped into the spotlight. She had shining brown hair that fell gently over her shoulders. She wore a long white gown embroidered with silver threads.
    “She’s