122 PRINCE RICARDO.

 

“Well, to oblige you, I’ll try to struggle
against old age,” he said; “‘ but there are always
accidents. Now, Dick, like a good fellow,
and to please me, work hard all to-morrow
till the afternoon. I’ll come in and help you.
And there’s always a splendid evening rise of
trout in the lake just now, so you can have
your play after your work, You'll enjoy it
more, and I daresay you are tired after a long
day with the big game. It used to tire me,
I remember.”

“‘I am rather tired,” said Dick; and indeed
he looked a little pale, for a day in the inside ofa
gigantic sea-monster is fatiguing, from the heat
and want of fresh air which are usually found
in such places. ‘‘I think I’ll turn in; good-
night, my dear old governor,” he said, in an
affectionate manner, though he was not usually
given to many words.

Then he went and kissed his mother and the
Princess Jaqueline, whom he engaged to row
him on the lake next evening, while he fished.

“And don’t you go muffing them with the
landing-net, Jack, as you generally do,” said
his Royal Highness, as he lit his bedroom
candle.

- “JT wish he would not call me Jack,” said the
princess to the queen.

“It’s better than Lina, my dear,” said her
Majesty, who in late life had become fond of
her littlejoke; ‘‘that always sounds. as if some-