"Let the boy alone," he commanded. "Even this madness shall be
humored. There is no hope now but in him."

The kittens began to frisk and gambol about the velvet, and the old
cat, with a contented purr, jumped up beside them. She was tired, poor
thing, and glad to find a soft bed. At that moment those who were
watching saw a change come upon the Prince's face. His eyelids
quivered. His lips moved slightly. The King raised his hands and
trembled.

Then began a frolic upon that royal bed such as for ten years had not
been seen in all the kingdom. Up and down, around and around, the
kittens chased one another. They rolled over and over, kicking and
biting. They played with their mother's tail. They scampered over the
still body of the Prince himself, and one of them, coming to his hand,
began to play with the white fingers, nibbling at them and licking them
with warm little pink tongue.

And what happened? Slowly the Prince's eyes opened. For a moment they
gazed blankly at the frolicking kittens. Then his lips gradually
parted, and the flicker of a tiny smile came upon them. The King
clasped his hands over his eyes, and gave a cry of joy. The little
Princess laid her head on the pillow beside her brother's and wept
silently.

The kitten which was playing with the Prince's hand rolled over on its
back and began to kick at the royal fingers. A tiny red scratch
appeared on the milky skin. At the same moment a bit of color came
into the Prince's white lips and cheeks. He turned his head, and
lifting his hand stroked the soft ball of fur. The little thing