"Do you know him? Is he a friend of yours?" Bill enquired.
By this time, the King's dormant ironic sense had been most effectively aroused. He was amused? Yes. But more than one of the youngsters' innocent shafts had reached home.
And Judith was not greatly interested in politics!
"First of England, and never of himself?"
Had he not always thought—first of himself?
"Mother says the King was in the Navy, like you and our daddy, until they told him that he had to be King," Button continued. "Daddy died in battle, you know. But it isn't sad. Mother has his medals. When I grow up, I'm to have his sword, and go into the Navy, too. Mother says it's the King's Service. When Bill is big enough, mother says he'll be as big as I am some day, he's going into the Navy, too. He'll be in the King's Service, too. But I'm to have daddy's sword, because I'm the eldest."
Bill scrambled up on to the King's knees.
"You will tell us all about the King, and his procession, and the 'luminations, and the fireworks, won't you, dear?" he coaxed.
"Some day—perhaps I will," the King said. "But it is a long, and a difficult story, and it—isn't finished yet. I don't think the King likes being King, very much, though. Mother is right. He—can't do just what he likes. He hasn't been King very long—but he has learnt that, already. Perhaps, I don't know, he may learn, if he has the chance, in time, to think—first of England, and never of himself. He doesn't have much fun. I know that. His crown is—heavier than he likes. He was very tired of it all, yesterday, I know. He didn't see—much of his own procession. He saw the flags, and the crowds, and he heard the cheers. Yes. The people cheered! And he bowed, and smiled, and played his part. But I don't think he enjoyed it very much. I think he was—rather afraid of it all, in his own heart. He didn't wear his sword. They won't let the King fight, nowadays, you see. He has to let other men—brave men like your daddy—fight for him. He—doesn't like that! That is why it is better to be in the King's Service, in the Navy, as you are going to be, when you grow tall enough, than to be—the King—"
"Didn't they let him sit up to see the 'luminations, and the fireworks?" Bill asked, surprised, and puzzled.