ngdom. Up and down, around and around, the
kittens chased one another. They rolled over and over, kicking and
biting. They played with their mother's tail. They scampered over the
still body of the Prince himself, and one of them, coming to his hand,
began to play with the white fingers, nibbling at them and licking them
with warm little pink tongue.

And what happened? Slowly the Prince's eyes opened. For a moment they
gazed blankly at the frolicking kittens. Then his lips gradually
parted, and the flicker of a tiny smile came upon them. The King
clasped his hands over his eyes, and gave a cry of joy. The little
Princess laid her head on the pillow beside her brother's and wept
silently.

The kitten which was playing with the Prince's hand rolled over on its
back and began to kick at the royal fingers. A tiny red scratch
appeared on the milky skin. At the same moment a bit of color came
into the Prince's white lips and cheeks. He turned his head, and
lifting his hand stroked the soft ball of fur. The little thing
responded immediately, arching its back and beginning to purr.
Presently the Prince's other hand stole out from under the coverlet.
He drew the kitten feebly to his face and rubbed his cheek against the
silky fur, and he smiled!

[Illustration: He stroked the soft ball of fur.]

The doctor turned to the King. "He will live," he said. "It must be
magic!"

"He lives! My son lives!" cried the King, bending over the Prince in a
transport.

The Prince opened his eyes and looked at him, and a change came upon
his face. The smile faded, and he closed his eyes wearily.

"Your Majesty," said John, speaking gently, "if you will allow me to
give the Prince a healing draught which I myself have made from
life-giving herbs, I think now he will sleep and waken refreshed."

"Do as you will!" cried the King. "Whatever you wish shall be done in
the palace. Whatever you ask shall be given."

With a word and a gentle touch John roused the Prince, who swallowed
the draught which the boy gave him. "Now let us leave him to sleep,"
said John.

But when they would have removed the cat and kittens, a cloud came over
the Prince's face, and his hand wandered feebly, as if craving the
touch of the silky fur.

"We will leave them here," said John. "They are what he needs."

"Oh, let me stay too!" cried the little Princess, with shining eyes.

And across the room she and John smiled at each other, as