round eyes and head
cocked knowingly.

Presently the bird gave a queer screech, and began to imitate John's
own laughter so exactly that the Prince shook with mirth. At this the
raven stood upon one leg gravely, and began to sidle along the
footboard of the bed. Presently he spied some fruit carved on the
wooden uprights, and making a dart began to peck at the pears and
peaches. Then, discovering his mistake, once more he began to chuckle,
this time so heartily that he seemed ready to have a fit. And as he
listened the Prince's mouth widened and he burst into roars of laughter.

"Hush, you foolish bird!" said John reprovingly. "Be not so noisy in a
Prince's chamber. It is not good manners!" and he threw his
handkerchief over the raven's head.

But the Prince protested. "Let him do his pleasure," he said,
laughing. "I have not seen anything so funny for many a day. I shall
teach him many tricks."

So the raven stayed with the Prince, and learned many tricks. And the
carrier pigeon stayed. And the others stayed,--all but the wolf, who
would never leave John,--making themselves quite at home on the
Prince's velvet couch. And the little Princess played with them,
enjoying the happiest hours of her life.

One only of the animals the Prince had not seen. The Hermit and John
agreed that until he was stronger he must not see the bear whom he had
once tried to kill. For they knew that now it would make the Prince
sad and ashamed to remember that day in the forest. Such a change had
come upon the young man! He was no longer hard and cruel, but tender
and affectionate.

The King felt the change, and it made him angry.

XXIV

THE KING

Daily, as the Prince grew stronger, he became more and more devoted to
the animals, to John and the good Hermit. He could scarcely bear them
out of his sight. When they were with him his face lighted with
smiles, and he seemed to blossom as a flower does in sunshine. Only in
the presence of the King he grew silent and sad once more. The light
passed from his eyes as he looked at the grim old man. A visit from
the King was almost enough to undo the good effects of a whole day of
happiness.

The King knew this, and it made him furious. He did not see that it
was his own fault; that it was the badness in him which made the Prince
shrink. He thought it was the doing of some one else. He grew to hate
the Hermit and John and the animals, of whom his son and daugh