PRINCE RICARDO. 123

 

one else was fatter,—and I hope there is not
someone else.”

The princess was silent, aad fixed her eyes
on her book.

. Presently the king came in, and played a game

with Lina at picquet. When they were all
going to bed, he said: ;
. “Just come into the study, Lina. I want
you to write a few letters for me.”

: The princess followed him and took her seat
at the writing table. The letters were very short.
One was to Herr Schnipp, tailor to the king
and royal family; another was to the royal
swordmaker, another to the bootmaker, another
to the optician, another to the tradesman who
supplied the august family with carpets and
rugs, another to his Majesty’s hatter. They
were all summoned to be at the palace early
next morning. Then his Majesty yawned, apolo-
gised, and went to bed.

_ The princess also went to her room, or bower
as it was then called, but not to sleep.

. She was unhappy that Dick did not satisfy
his father, and that he was so careless, and
also about other things.

“And why does the king want all these tailors
and hatters so suddenly, telescope-makers and
swordmakers and shoemakers, too?” she asked
herself, as she stood at the window watching
the moon.

“I could find out. I could turn myself into

Ome