balcony.

"A fete!" said the Prince, clapping his hands. "A grand fete in your
honor, my kind friends. That will be rare sport! John, you shall make
the whole city laugh, even as you have cured me."

"I shall do my best," answered John. "Yes, I will teach some of my
little friends new tricks for that fete." And he laughed as he thought
how the Prince and Princess would stare when they saw Bruin dance.

John and the Prince left the balcony arm in arm, to talk over the plans
for the fete. But the Hermit still sat with bent brows, thinking.

"Why did he call John a mountebank?" he asked himself. "He hates us.
He is planning some mischief, I believe. It is time we were back in
our Animal Kingdom."

He looked up. The Princess was touching his arm and her face was very
pale. "Father," she said, for so the royal children loved to call the
good old man. "Father, there is mischief in the air. Oh! do be on
your guard. For I think it would break my heart if anything should
happen to you or to dear John."

The Hermit stroked her hair gently. "Dear child," he said, "we will
take care of him, you and I and the animals."




XXV