"Grimm; Loras Afelnor was a very, very kind man," he said, putting what he hoped was a grandfatherly hand on the boy's shoulder. "I mustn't tell you too much, but I will ask you: would your grandfather help a sick, old man who was in great pain?"

The child still looked confused, but he nodded.

Doorkeeper locked Grimm's eyes with a serious gaze. "Well, that's just what he did. He helped an old man, but he shouldn't have done."

Grimm's expression showed little more comprehension than before, and Doorkeeper stared at the ceiling for a few moments, wondering how he could escape from the tangle in which he found himself. Then, welcome inspiration flooded into his mind, and he stifled a sigh of relief.

"Grimm, do you eat with your elbows on the table?"

"Of course not!" the boy cried. "You mustn't do that."

"Why not?" Doorkeeper asked.

"Because… I don't know, but you mustn't!"

Doorkeeper wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead. "Well, it was like that. There are rules you have to obey, although you don't know why they're important. There are rules like that in the House, too."

Doorkeeper continued, "Loras thought he was doing a good thing, but he broke an important rule. He didn't mean to hurt anyone, but the rules said he had to be punished."

Grimm nodded slowly. "Granfer and Gramma don't like me giving food to our dog, Brush, but he looks so hungry sometimes. One time, I gave Brush some chicken bones, even though I knew I shouldn't." His face fell. "Brush was very sick, and Granfer was very angry with me."

"Then you understand, Grimm. We have rules, but sometimes we think we're doing the right thing by breaking them."

Grimm nodded, looking relieved. "It was like me giving Brush those bones?"

"Almost, Grimm," Doorkeeper said. "But rules are rules. I'm sure Lord Thorn would be glad to take in the grandson of his old friend, but he might not be able to do so. Lord Thorn has the good of the House to think of."