But they stayed and stayed--and when Major von Werder began to make a long speech to me, and I thought there was no end to it, I became impatient and furious--and--""Why do you hesitate?" asked the king, looking tenderly at the frank, glowing face of the boy. "What happened?""Something dreadful, sire! I could not keep in any longer. The major kept on talking, and looked at me so sharply, I could not help making an abominable face. It is unfortunately true--I ran my tongue out at him--only just a little bit--and I drew it back in an instant; but it was done, and a dreadful scene followed. The major did not say any thing, my tutor was red as fire, and I was thunderstruck!""That was excessively rude, my little flag-bearer," cried the king.
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; Ibehaved 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 time he did not.""Fritz, I believe you," said the king, "and you shall have the reward that you asked for--stay here and play a little while. Go, now, and call your tutor; I have a few words to say to him."The little prince sprang toward the door, but suddenly stopped, embarrassed.
"What is the matter?" asked the king. "Why do you not call your tutor?""Sire, I am very much troubled. Herr Behnisch will be very angry when you tell him about the shuttlecock. I beg you not to betray me!""Yes, but if you will play before me, you must get the plaything which you say is in his pocket.""Sire, then I had rather not play," cried the prince.
"On the contrary," said the king, "your punishment shall be, to take the plaything as cleverly out of the pocket as you put it in. If you do it well, then I will say nothing about it; but, if your tutor discovers you, then you must submit to the storm. It lies in your own hands. Whilst I am conversing with the tutor, try your luck. Now call him in."The prince obeyed thoughtfully, and the tutor entered. He stood near the door, and made the three prescribed bows; then he waited with a submissive air for further commands.
The king was sitting opposite the door, his hands folded upon his staff and his chin resting upon his hands, looking the tutor full in the face. Herr Behnisch bore it calmly; not a feature moved in his angular, wooden face. Near the tutor stood the little prince, his graceful, rosy, childlike face expressing eager expectation.
"Approach!" said the king.
Herr Behnisch stepped forward a little, and remained standing. The prince glided noiselessly after him, keeping his eyes fixed on the tails of the flesh-colored satin coat with which the tutor had adorned himself for this extraordinary occasion. The prince smiled as he saw the pocket open and the feathers of the shuttlecock peeping out. He stretched out his little hand and crooked his fingers to seize it.
"Come nearer! Herr Behnisch," said Frederick, who had observed the movement of the little prince, and who was amused at the thought of keeping him in suspense a little longer.
Herr Behnisch moved forward, and the prince, frightened, remained standing with outstretched hand. He menaced the king with a glance of his bright blue eyes. Frederick caught the look, smiled, and turned to the tutor.
"I believe it is three years since you commenced teaching the little prince?" said the king.
"At your service, your majesty, since 1775.""A tolerably long time," said the king--"long enough to make a savant of a child of Nature. You have been faithful, and I am satisfied. The copybooks which you sent me according to my orders are satisfactory. I wished to acquaint you myself of my satisfaction, therefore I sent for you.""Your majesty is very condescending," said the tutor, and his sharp, angular face brightened a little. "I am very happy in the gracious satisfaction of your royal highness. I wished also to make known to you personally my wishes in regard to the petition for the little prince's pocket-money; he should learn the use of money.""Very well," said the king, nodding to the prince, who stood behind the tutor, holding up triumphantly the shuttle cock.
Yet, the most difficult feat remained to be accomplished. The battledoor was in the very depths of the pocket; only the point of the handle was visible.
"Your majesty," cried Herr Behnisch, who had taken the approving exclamation of "very well" to himself--"your majesty, I am very happy that you have the grace to approve of my petition for pocket-money."
