"And all the time the King and I were fidgeting ourselves and beginning to think, as it grew so late, that some terrible accident had happened to you."
"It isn't so late as you and Doctor Cameron were that time."
"Getting on to be, sir."
"Don't you think that poor Phra and I were just as anxious about you and the doctor, father?" said the boy mischievously.
"No, indeed I don't," said Mr. Kenyon, laughing. "You are both too thoughtless. And look here, young gentleman, you forget yourself horribly. I never heard anything like it. You must not speak to the King in that free and easy way, just as if he were your equal, before all his people."
"Free and easy?" said Harry, staring. "I thought I was speaking very nicely, father."
The doctor laughed heartily, and Harry's cheeks turned hot with annoyance.
"Why, what did I say that was wrong?"
"It was not the words but the way, my boy," said Mr. Kenyon gravely. "Of course one does not look upon the Prince of a barbaric country like this as one would upon a European monarch; but in the presence of his followers we must not forget that he is a king."
"I did," said Harry frankly; "I felt as if I were speaking to Phra's father and your friend."