Boys and Girls Bookshelf (Vol 2 of 17)

ects loved him, the surrounding kings were his loyal friends, and the neighboring kingdoms were on the best of terms with him. Indeed, they had a happy way, these ol

ou was fat, of course, and looked v

oving wife-this good king was not happy. There was one cloud, a very pretty silver-edged cloud,

o marry and settle down on the throne, because he was growing old. Every morning for three weeks, just before breakfast, he had had three separate twinges of pain. The queen said it wa

any of the surrounding kingdoms who suited her capricious fancy. Princes of haughty mien, princes of gentle manner, handsome princes, ugly princes, tall princes, short princes, fat princes, lean princes, had been introduced at the court, had been encouraged by the king and queen,

tlers and waiters and pages and flunkies were always standing about, with their ears pricked up and their eyes bulging out, so that no one dared whisper a secret or have even the jolliest little family quarrel. It is true her royal mama came at precisely ten o'clock to kiss her good night every evening, but there were always a dozen maids and ladies in waiting, and it was impossible to have a real good talk. But Pussy

asing him just a little. You know, Pussy, that when my ideal comes-oh, you needn't look up and blink in such surprise, for I really have an ideal, and I will tell you all about him!" Whereupon Pussy shook her head till her gold-bell necklace tinkled loudly, then she yawned a

ady to listen, and I'll not tell a s

ns, Pussy-satisfied with what he has until he deserves and can get something better. If he is like that he will always be unselfish and happy.

w out some paper with her crest on it and a jeweled pen, and wrote dai

isten; I will

g, from her Royal Highn

y dear papa, and remember that this decision is final. I will marry the first contented man you ca

el which no Indi

art can co

rich in gre

ne, turns wood

es, to few fr

ittle, all in

written, I

own

rly a yard long, and it will go around and around this letter and tie in a great golden knot. When the king sees that he will know

returned to the great cushioned chair by the window. Pussy climbed into her lap.