is no other son of our house,--I shall need much help, for I am weak
and not wise. You, good father, I would have you for my counselor.
And you,"--he laid his arm affectionately on John's shoulder,--"you
shall be my brother and share the throne with me."

"Nay, thrones cannot be shared thus," said the Hermit, looking at both
boys with some agitation. "You are a king's son. But we are of the
woods, my Prince. I at least have other work to do. As John says,
there is the Animal Kingdom--what is to become of that?"

"Why, there will be no need for you to go to find it," answered the
Prince eagerly. "When I am king all shall be changed. This shall be
the Animal Kingdom. There shall be no more hunting or killing here.
There shall be pets,--more than in any other land. For I have seen how
unhappy are folk who live without them."

"Now God be praised!" cried the good Hermit, with tears in his eyes.

And John embraced the Prince heartily, while the little Princess
clapped her hands and cried with shining eyes, "Oh! we shall all live
together forever and ever, as happily as if this were the lovely forest
which is John's home."

"Nay," said the Hermit gravely, "I cannot live here. I must go back to
my woods. I have vowed never again to live away from my Forest
Kingdom. But you, John, have taken no vow. Will you stay here with
the Prince, or will you go back with me? Make now your choice."

John looked wistfully at the Prince and Princess, for he loved them
well. He looked at the animals who crowded around him and seemed to be