How the three roared! She continued, "He persisted in trying to balance a pile of prayer-books on the ledge of his chair-back; and every now and then they came down with a crash. At last I took him on my knee; and told him that the holy angels were looking at him, and that they would go and tell the Lord God what a wicked little ruffian he was. And then he said—he said, 'Dirty little sneaks!'"
"Oh, oh, the exquisite boy!" Hadrian shouted with laughter.
"Well, I'll go and fetch him;" said the Southern Emperor, running-out of the door, just as the Northern Emperor came-in by the other, prepared to play the part of peace-maker. That, now, was not necessary; and England, Germany, and Italy, chattered like children till the children came. Their father did not return. His men were having a bad time, trying to beat the record for getting a sovereign into his habit of ceremony.
The fair Prince Filiberto solemnly approached the Pope. "Are You the White Father which formerly I have seen in somebody's forest?"
"Yes," said Hadrian.
"Are You quite good now?" the boy continued, with great black basilic eyes.
"No," said Hadrian, feeling the horror of the end of youth confronted with the flower of innocence.
"Are You truly contrite for having been a naughty boy—no, man I mean?"
"Yes," said Hadrian.
"Are You sitting on my father's sofa because he has forgiven You?"