t persons would be if the first meal they had
ever eaten away from their own home had to be consumed in the presence
of Royalty, but he had been evidently trained to observe the ordinary
table etiquette, and as he became more at ease he talked fluently
enough, though at times with a _naivete_ that was almost childlike, and
increased Clarence's resolve to pull his leg whenever he saw an
opportunity.

"Your Majesties must pardon my asking the question," he said, in his
thin, piping voice, as he helped himself to a cutlet, "but is this what
is called _meat_?"

"So we're given to understand by the butcher, Count," replied Clarence.
"Why do you want to know?"

"Because," he replied, "I've often _heard_ of meat, but this is the
first time I've ever _seen_ it. Do you know," he went on presently, "I
_like_ meat. I shall have some more."

"I should, if I were you," advised Clarence; "it may make you grow!"
which reduced Ruby to silent convulsions.

"Do you really think it _will_?" inquired the Count, either not
noticing, or tactfully disregarding, Princess Ruby's lapse from good
manners. "It might. My poor dear Father and Mother were both great
meat-eaters, I believe, before they took to vegetarianism, which was
quite late in life. I cannot remember seeing them, but I've always
understood that they were much taller than I am."

"You don't say so," returned Clarence. "Must have been most interesting
people to meet."

"They were, your Royal Highness. Though, unfortunately, I cannot speak
of my own knowledge. As your Majesties may be aware, during the short
time they were spared to me I was too young to appreciate their
society."

"Well, well, Count," said Queen Selina, perceiving that this was
delicate ground, "it's all very sad, but you must try not to think about
it now. The Marshal tells me you give a great deal of your time to
growing vegetables. How do tomatoes do with you?"

"I don't pay any attention to tomatoes, your Majesty," he replied, with
a blush that few tomatoes could have outdone. "My efforts have been
chiefly directed to pumpkins. I have reared some particularly fine ones.
I am very fond of pumpkins."

"Jolly little things, ain't they?" put in Clarence. "So playful!"

"_Are_ they?" said the Count with perfect simplicity. "I did not know
that. But then I have never attempted to play with _my_ pumpkins."

"Haven't you?" said Clarence. "Well, you get 'em to play
kiss-in-the-ring with you, and you'll f