The young prince was so ashamed, and was looking down so penitently,
that he did not see the smile on Frederick's face, and the
affectionate look with which he regarded the youthful sinner.

"Do you know that you deserve to be imprisoned fourteen days, and
live on bread and water, for insubordination?"

"I know it now, sire. I beg pardon most humbly," said the prince,
with quivering voice and with tears in his eyes. "I have been
punished enough, without that. Herr Behnisch would not let me go to
the garden again, and I have never seen the eggs which I spent my
last groschen for, nor the boys whom I had invited. I was made to
stay in my room all Easter week, learn twenty Latin words every day,
and write three pages of German words in good handwriting. It was a
hard punishment, but I knew that I deserved it, and did not
complain. I only thought that I would do better in future."

"If you thought so, and you have already been punished, we will say
no more about it," said the king. "But tell me, how did you get on
at Whitsuntide, when the officers paid you their respects again?"

"Your majesty," answered the prince, "it was a great deal better; I
behaved tolerably well, except a very little rudeness, which was not
so bad after all. [Footnote: The little prince's own words.--See
"Diary of Prince Frederick William," p. 18.] Herr Behnisch did not
punish me; he only said, another time, that I should do better, and
not be so taciturn, but greet the gentlemen in a more friendly
manner. I must tell you, sire, that when Herr Behnisch does not
scold, it is a sure sign that I have behaved pretty well; and this