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answer. He said to me that the king only likes apples that drop into his hands. If they do not, first he kicks the tree and then, having hurt his foot, he blames the last person who mentioned apples to him"
"What is this nonsense of apples and trees," Philip asked irritably, taking literally what Simon said.
However, Richard was staring at Simon with deep interest. "Lord Geoffrey is a wise man," Richard said, "but it will be a neat trick to know when the apple should drop so that the blame does not swing back to the tree. It is, after all, possible to fetch an ax to obtain apples."
Although it was pretty stupid to consider killing a tree to get at its apples, Simon made no protest because he felt it would be typical of Henry's behavior. He only shrugged and nodded, adding Geoffrey's final caution. "Even if the moment be right, it may not serve its purpose perfectly. Henry is not so light-minded that one or two disappointments will make him change his opinion of a man he has trusted from childhood."
"You are right about that too," Richard sighed. "However, all this is not to the point at this moment. First we must be sure the apples are not shaken loose by kicking the tree."
"My lord, what apples? What tree?" Philip asked. "I swear there is not an apple left on any tree in all South Wales."
"We are the apples and Usk is the tree," Richard replied, smiling at Philip's confusion, "but Lord Geoffrey was doubtless speaking in a parable. Never mind that now. Let us consider how we can cause the greatest loss among our attackers at the least cost to ourselves."
"We can load the ballistas and catapults and fire them at the camp," Philip urged promptly. "They set up far too close, either trusting to your mercyor contemptuous of your forbearance."

 
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