He looked at the Hermit.

"Oh, stay!" cried the Prince. "Stay and be my brother, and I will make
you rich and powerful."

"Oh, stay!" begged the little Princess. "Stay and be my brother, too!"

But John shook his head. "I cannot stay," he said. "If my dear father
will have me for his pupil still, I will go back with him. For though
it is pleasant here, I love best the life of the woods and the freedom
of the forest. And I long to learn what no one in this kingdom can
teach me: the art of healing and helping, as did that good John whose
name I bear."

The Hermit's face beamed like May sunshine, but he said nothing.

"Then I will go to the forest with you!" cried the Prince. "I will not
stay here. I do not want to be king. I too would be free and happy in
the Kingdom of the Forest."

"And I will go also!" said the Princess.

"Hush!" said the Hermit gravely. "That may not be. Your duty lies
here. When you are king, my Prince, you can make your kingdom into a
happy place. Then, little Princess, you will be proud of it and of
him. Your duty is to the kingdom where you were born, and to the
people of it, whom you can make happier and better. But perhaps, some
day when I am gone to a still fairer kingdom, John will be able to help
you, as another John once helped another King."

At this moment there was a noise at the window which led to the
balcony, and the King stepped out to them. How long he had been
standing inside, how much of their talk he had heard, no one knew.

The Princess flushed; but the Prince turned pale as he greeted his
father respectfully. John and the Hermit exchanged glances. They were
not afraid for themselves, but they dreaded the King's wrath for his
son and daughter, who had threatened to run away.

The King stood for a moment, looking at the group with a frown. Then a
peculiar smile twisted his lips.

"Ah!" he said, "I have intruded, it seems, upon a council of State. I
fear that I interrupt your plans, my son. But I trust that you and
these noble visitors will pardon my desire to learn the state of your
health. You must not be over-excited." He waved his hand toward the
Hermit and John, then bowed low to each of the animals in turn, with
bitter mockery.

The Princess trembled, for she saw how angry the King was.

"We have no secrets, my friends and I," said the Prince with dignity.
"We have nothing to conceal of which we are ashamed."

The King looked at him q