Long Live the King! by Mary Roberts Rinehart
page 29 of 505 (05%)
page 29 of 505 (05%)
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only safer. And the lights are pretty. It's like fairyland.
There were two or three times when it seemed as if we'd turn over, or leap the track. But we didn't." The King lay back and thought. More than anything in the world he loved this boy. But the occasion demanded a strong hand. "You were happy," he said. "You were disobedient, you were causing grave anxiety and distress - and you were happy! The first duty of a prince is to his country. His first lesson is to obey laws. He must always obey certain laws. A king is but the servant of his people." "Yes, sir," said Prince Ferdinand William Otto. The old King's voice was stern. "Some day you will be the King. You are being trained for that high office now. And yet you would set the example of insubordination, disobedience, and reckless disregard of the feelings of others." "Yes, sir," said prince Ferdinand William Otto, feeling very small and ashamed. "Not only that. You slipped away. You did not go openly. You sneaked off, like a thief. Are you proud of it?" "No, sir." "I shall," said the King, "require no promise from you. Promises are poor things to hold to. I leave this matter in your own hands, Otto. You will be punished by Miss Braithwaite, and for |
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