"I don't know," said Selma. "Whatever you please."
"That will suit very well,—very well indeed," said the housekeeper. "I think you are the very person we want."
"Thank you," said Selma; and just then a door opened and the Queen Dowager put in her head.
"Is she inducted?" she asked.
"Yes," said the housekeeper.
"Then here is the Prince," said the Queen Dowager, entering the room and leading by the hand a young gnome about a foot high. He had on a ruffled jacket and trousers, and a little peaked cap. His royal grandmother led him to Selma.
"You will take him," she said, "for a session of ten months. At the end of that time we shall expect him to be thoroughly posted in emergencies. While he is away, he will drop all his royal titles and be known as Class 81, Q. His parents and I have taken leave of him. Good-bye!"
And she left the room, with her little handkerchief to her eyes.
"Now, then," said the housekeeper, "the sooner you are off, the better. The bear is waiting."
So saying, she hurried Selma and the Prince through the school-room, and, when they opened the door, there stood the bear, all ready. Selma mounted him, and the housekeeper handed up the Prince, first kissing him good-bye. Then off they started.