it is
here. But oh! If only I were big and strong and powerful, so that I
could help to hasten that happy day!"

One evening, several weeks later, they sat as usual in the midst of
their circle of pets. The Hermit, with the raven on his shoulder and
the cat on his knee, was reading from the book. John, on a bench by
the window, was using the last light of an autumn day to make a basket
for gathering herbs. The gaunt wolf lay at his feet. Beside him
rested the bear, snuffling in his sleep; and stretched out between him
and the Hermit, Brutus snored peacefully. On John's shoulders roosted
their carrier pigeon, and several kittens played about his legs. The
deer lay on a pallet in the corner. It was a very peaceful scene, and
every one seemed to have forgotten the fright of a month before.

Suddenly John said: "Father, tell me about the King."

The old man started, and placing a finger in the book to mark the
place, looked at John with surprise. "Why should we speak of him?" he
asked uneasily. "This is the hour of peace and meditation on pleasant
things."

"I have thought about him so much," said John. "I cannot tell why, but
I am unable to forget him. I want to know more of him and of his son."

The old man shook his head. "I am sorry," he said. "Did you care so
much for his gorgeous clothes and jewels, his horse and band of
followers? Have they turned your head, foolish boy? Did you find
anything to admire in their talk and manner and looks? I am
disappointed, John!"

"Nay, I did not admire anything about them," John hastened to say. "I
saw that the King was cruel. I believe well that he was also wicked.
But he seemed to have friends. How can a bad man have friends? And
why do the people allow him to be their king?"

"Ah, John!" cried the Hermit, "it is not so easy to find a good king!
Perhaps his people do not care; perhaps they know no better. Perhaps
he is so powerful that they have no choice but to obey him."

"Is the King so wicked?" asked John, wondering how the Hermit knew so
much. "What has he done that is bad?"

The old man hesitated; then he turned to John with a gesture that the
boy did not understand.

"Listen, John," he said. "I will tell you some things that this King
has done. It is well that you should know. Years ago, before you were
born, he was not the lawful king in this Country. The true king was
his brother Cyril, who was good and kind, ruling wisely and well