saw the donkey himself, and what have you ever seen?
YOU have never been abroad."

"I have seen a donkey though, mamma!" said Aglaya.

"And I've heard one!" said Adelaida. All three of the girls laughed out
loud, and the prince laughed with them.

"Well, it's too bad of you," said mamma. "You must forgive them, prince;
they are good girls. I am very fond of them, though I often have to be
scolding them; they are all as silly and mad as march hares."

"Oh, why shouldn't they laugh?" said the prince. "I shouldn't have let
the chance go by in their place, I know. But I stick up for the donkey,
all the same; he's a patient, good-natured fellow."

"Are you a patient man, prince? I ask out of curiosity," said Mrs.
Epanchin.

All laughed again.

"Oh, that wretched donkey again, I see!" cried the lady. "I assure you,
prince, I was not guilty of the least--"

"Insinuation? Oh! I assure you, I take your word for it." And the prince
continued laughing merrily.

"I must say it's very nice of you to laugh. I see you really are a
kind-hearted fellow," said Mrs. Epanchin.

"I'm not always kind, though."

"I am kind myself, and ALWAYS kind too, if you please!" she retorted,
unexpectedly; "and that is my chief fault, for one ought not to be
always kind. I am often angry with these girls and their father; but the
worst of it is, I am always kindest when I am cross. I was very angry
just before you came, and Aglaya there read me a lesson--thanks, Aglaya,
dear--come and kiss me--there--that's enough" she added, as Aglaya came
forward and kissed her lips and then her hand. "Now then, go on, prince.
Perhaps you can think of something more exciting than about the donkey,
eh?"

"I must say, again, I can't understand how you can expect anyone to tell
you stories straight away, so," said Adelaida. "I know I never could!"

"Yes, but the prince can, because he is clever--cleverer than you are
by ten or twenty times, if you like. There, that's so, prince; and
seriously, let's drop the donkey now--what else did you see abroad,
besides the donkey?"

"Yes, but the prince told us about the donkey very cleverly, all the
same," said Alexandra. "I have always been most interested to hear how
people go mad and get well again, and that sort of thing. Especially
when it happens suddenly."

"Quite so, quite so!" cried Mrs. Epanchin, delighted. "I see you CAN
be sensible now and then, Alexandra. You were speaking of Switzerland,
prince?"