Prince Ferdinand William Otto had the fulfillment of a great
desire in his small, active mind. This was nothing less than a
ride on the American scenic railroad, which had secured a
concession in a far corner of the park. Hedwig's lieutenant had
described it to him - how one was taken in a small car to a dizzy
height, and then turned loose on a track which dropped giddily
and rose again, which hurled one through sheet-iron tunnels of
incredible blackness, thrust one out over a gorge, whirled one in
mad curves around corners of precipitous heights, and finally
landed one, panting, breathless, shocked, and reeling; but safe,
at the very platform where one had purchased one's ticket three
eternities, which were only minutes, before.

Prince Ferdinand William Otto had put this proposition, like the
fig woman, to Miss Braithwaite. Miss Braithwaite replied with
the sad history of an English child who had clutched at his cap
during a crucial moment on a similar track at the Crystal Palace
in London.

"When they picked him up," she finished, "every bone in his body
was broken."

"Every bone?"

"Every bone," said Miss Braithwaite solemnly.

"The little ones in his ears, and all?"

"Every one," said Miss Braithwaite, refusing to weaken.