"I—I suppose so, sir," answered Pat sorrowfully, "only we shall so miss him when he is gone!"
"Well, well, we will see, we will see," said the gentleman kindly, and then he stooped over the child, and said in a voice which shook just a very little in spite of the playful ring in it—
"Well, Rupert, my little boy, haven't you got one word or look for papa?—or have you forgotten him altogether?"
"I haven't forgot—torse I haven't—but mamma frottles me so!" answered the little fellow, who was by this time trying to wriggle himself free from the embrace of his agitated mother, which had become too close for comfort. He seemed better pleased when his father took him up in his strong arms, and he laughed and kicked with pleasure, as he did when Nat took and tossed him high in the air.
The lady rose from her knees, wiping from her eyes the tears which still seemed inclined to start, and putting out her soft hand to Pat, she said very gently and sweetly—
"And so you are the little boy who has been playing the part of brother to our dear little Rupert. Have you got a kiss to spare for me, my little man?"
And Pat felt hot all over with surprise and pleasure, as the gentle, beautiful lady bent her head and kissed him, and he hardly dared to kiss her back, lest it should be taking a liberty; but he remembered that queens had their hands kissed when they sat in state, and so he raised the white hand that held his to his lips, and kissed it reverently.
"Shall I take you to my mother, madam?" he asked. "She has taken care of Prince Rupert. I only played with him and helped her."
"Prince Rupert!" repeated the lady, smiling. "Who taught you to call him that?"