rankly
as if expecting kindness from every one. So much had five years of
love and humanity done for the little wanderer.

When John appeared in the courtyard ready for his performance, dressed
in the familiar colors of long ago, he could not help chuckling to
think how things had changed with him. Instead of Cecco and the Giant,
by his side waddled the great bear on his hind legs; while Brutus
walked sedately on his other side, and the gaunt wolf stalked behind.

The park was thronged with people, soldiers and citizens and peasants
from the country, jostling one another for a sight of John and his
pets,--and whispering among themselves with an excitement which John
could not understand. For after all he was going to give a simple
little show of tumbling such as they must have seen many times. "It is
the animals," he thought. "It must be the animals that they are so
eager to see."

John walked along, smiling into the faces which met his kindly, and the
brown spot on his eyelid gave him the mischievous look which always
made folk laugh. It was amid a ripple of good-natured laughter that he
and his pets made their way to the platform which had been erected in
front of the palace. Here on a high seat sat the King, and beside him
the Prince, with a flush of pleasure on his thin cheeks. Gaily dressed
lords and ladies stood about the throne. But somewhat apart and
surrounded by his pets sat the Hermit in his gray robe, with folded
arms. His hood was pulled over his face so that John could not see how
grave he was. Two armed men stood behind him, but by his side, with
her hand on his shoulder, was the little Princess. John smiled at her,
when he bowed low to the people on the platform. And the little maid
answered with a flash of affection; but her face was very pale, and her
hand trembled on the Hermit's shoulder.

John led forward his animals and they began their tricks. The Hermit
saw the Prince start when Bruin appeared. Evidently he recognized the
animal which he had once tried to kill. Merrily John urged the clumsy
fellow to dance, and every one laughed heartily at the sight. Only the
King sat grim and sullen.

[Illustration: John urged the clumsy fellow to dance.]

Then John put a plumed hat on the bear's head, took his arm, and the
two strutted about the platform like a pair of dandies. The audience
burst into roars of mirth. Even the Hermit's sides were shaking, and
the little Princess rocke