“Now then,” said Bojohn, “I hope we’re going to hear the story of Montesango’s Cave at last.”
“If it please your majesty,” began Solario, addressing the Queen,—but at this moment there came a loud knock at the door.
Mortimer the Executioner hastened to open it, and there in the doorway stood the King himself. Solario sprang down from his table, and all the others rose.
“Ah! your majesty!” cried Solario, bowing profoundly. “This is indeed an honor!”
“I was told I would find you here,” said the King. “It seems that my entire family deserts me in the evening, and I am obliged to climb the worst stairs in the castle to— But of course if you find my society too—”
“My dear!” said the Queen. “We have been listening to Solario’s stories, and you were so taken up with your chess that we thought you wouldn’t care to—”
“Why not?” said the King. “But of course if you don’t want me to hear the stories, I’ll—”
“Sit down, grandfather!” cried Bojohn. “He’s just going to begin.”
“Do sit down, my dear,” said the Queen. “Don’t you remember the story he told us the first night?”
“Hum! Ha! I’m all out of breath with those plaguey stairs. Something about a button, wasn’t it?”