Wyllys Wynn’s story was applauded; and Master Lewis, amid the applause, said audibly,—
“Excellent!”
Frank Gray followed:—
“Our President has told you the history of William the Conqueror and of one of his sons, in his story of the New Forest. I will try to tell you
THE STORY OF ROBERT OF NORMANDY.
“Robert of Normandy was the second son of the Conqueror, and succeeded his father in the dukedom. He was unlike the rest of the Conqueror’s sons,—an easy, generous, pleasure-loving fellow; honest in heart, and believing with wonderful simplicity that the world was all sunshine, and that all the people in it were much like himself.
“I am sorry to say, however, that he once rebelled against his father, whom he asked to give him the old Norman kingdom. ‘I am not apt to undress before I go to bed,’ said the Conqueror.
“He began to rule independently, and William besieged him in the old fortress of Gerberoi.
“In the midst of the battle, Robert unseated a tall knight, and was about to despatch him, when he found him to be his father.
“He was greatly touched at the discovery, and kneeling down said, ‘I pray you forgive me.’ He then raised his father, and they were reconciled.