quizzical shrugs and wry faces and many misgivings.

It had struck Jan at once that one of the older boys would have been
much better fitted for such a trip than little Nono; but what would
they dare to say to a princess? They would perhaps never be allowed to
get into the palace at all. Nono, with his pretty ways and bright
black eyes, would be sure to get in anywhere. Karin had made him neat
enough to come into anybody's house. And as to his telling his story,
he could talk like a book when he got started, and make his hands talk
too, if he chose.

Old Pelle's eyes had glistened when he heard of the plan. When he bade
Nono good-bye, he had begun the boy's favourite text, "He who delivered
me from the lion and the bear--" He stopped, and then added, "The
princess is no Philistine, but one of the Lord's anointed, I am sure.
She is the great King's daughter! You know what I mean, Nono."

Nono did understand, and went out strengthened. He knew he had Uncle
Pelle's approval and his blessing on his errand.

CHAPTER XII.

A PEDESTRIAN TRIP.

Nono had not started alone on his trip to Stockholm. He had with him a
companion as lively as himself. A black companion it was, and with a
voice that could vary from the deepest bass to the highest treble, not
only at will, but at the word of command. Alas! this companion had a
ring in his nose like a heathen islander, though he had been born in a
Christian country, and had enjoyed unusual advantages for education.
He was accustomed to be washed, and to be dressed on occasion, and he
took his food most respectably considering his ancestry. If he were
not "learned," as some of his race had been, he was at least a most
accomplished and amusing companion. Nono had tried hard to make his
pet a biped; but the creature was not ambitious of being promoted to
walking upright like man, though he could stand on two legs as stiffly
as any statue, at least for a few moments. He knew he was after all
but a little black pig, with a ring in his nose (as a punishment for
rooting), and submitted humbly to being led, and tried to obey his
master's least command as far as his intelligence permitted.

When the little black pig had made his appearance at the colonel's, in
the midst of six rose-coloured brothers, everybody had been reminded of
Nono among the fair-haired children at the golden house. Frans at once
declared that the eccentric pig ought to belong to the little Italia