Have you seen our
house? We built it ourselves. Selene, Helios, Jotape, my future wife, and
I--yes, I! They let me help, and we finished it alone, all alone!
Everything is here. We shall build the shed for the cow to-morrow. The
others mustn't see it, but I may show it to you."

While speaking, he drew her forward again, and Charmian obediently
followed. The twins and little Jotape, who had been chosen for the future
bride of the six-year-old Prince Alexandera pretty, delicate, fair-haired
child of his own age, the daughter of the Median king, who had been
betrothed to the boy after the Parthian war, and now remained as a
hostage at Cleopatra's court--welcomed her with joyous shouts. With the
exception of the little Median princess, Charmian had witnessed their
birth, and they all loved her dearly.

The little royal labourers showed their work with proud delight, and it
really was well done.

They had toiled at it for weeks, paying no heed to the garden and all its
costly rarities. They pointed with special pride to the two planks which
Helios, aided by Alexander, had fished out of the sea after the last
storm, when they were left alone, and to the lock on the door which they
had secretly managed to wrench from an old gate. Selene herself had woven
the curtain in front of the door. Now they were going to build a hearth
too.

Charmian praised their skill, while they--all talking merrily
together--told her how they had conquered the greatest difficulties.
Their bright eyes sparkled with pleasure while describing the work of
their own hands, and they were so absorbed in eager delight that they did
not notice the approach of a man until startled by his words: "Enough of
this idle sport now, your Highnesses. Too much time has already been
wasted on it."

Then, turning to the Queen, who had accompanied him, he continued in a
tone of apology: "This amusement might seem somewhat hazardous, yet there
is much to be said in its favour. Besides, it appeared to afford the
royal children so much pleasure that I permitted it for a short time. But
if your Majesty commands:

"Let them have their pleasure," the Queen interrupted kindly; and as soon
as the children saw their mother they rushed forward, crowded around her
with fearless love, thanked her, and eagerly assured her that nothing in
the whole garden was half so dear to them as their little house. They
meant to build a stable too.

"That might be too much," said the tut