"Sire, I must learn, even if I had no inclination to; Herr Behnisch
leaves me no peace. I have scarcely time to play. I am always
learning to read, to write, to cipher, and to work."

"How about the geography and universal history?"

"Oh, your majesty, I wish there were no geography and history in the
world, and then I should not have to study so cruelly hard, and I
could play more. My mother sent me last week a new battledore and
shuttlecock, but I can never learn to play with it. I no sooner
begin, than Herr Behnisch calls me to study. To-day I was very
cunning--oh, I was so sly! I put it in the great-pocket of my
tutor's coat, and he brought it here without knowing it."

"That was very naughty," said the king, a little severely. The
prince colored, and, a little frightened, said: "Sire, I could not
bring it any other way. I beg pardon, the uniform is so tight, and
then--then, I thought it would be dishonoring it to put a
shuttlecock in the cartridge-box."

"That was a good thought, prince, and for that I will forgive you
the trick upon your tutor. But what will you do with the ball here?
Why did you bring it?"

"Oh, I wished to show it to your majesty, it is so beautiful, and
then beg you to let me play a little."

"We will see, Fritz," said the king, much pleased. "If you deserve
it, that shall be your reward. Tell me the truth, is your tutor