listening to his words. He knew how eager they were to be back in the
forest. 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."