"Aged twenty years," said the king, watching him closely with a strange look.
"Yes, your Majesty."
"His son did you say?"
The young man bowed his head and blushed.
"How strange!" the king muttered this to himself, and seemed for a moment to be in deep thought. He then said,
"Why have you not announced yourself to me before? Your father has done my father and the country great service. He is then still alive."
"He is alive, and thankful for your Majesty's goodness."
"Really so."
The king said this more as if a secret thought had escaped him, than as a remark to the listener. The young man felt the colour mount to his cheeks, and the king noticed it.
"Your father and I once had a quarrel," continued the king, and he smiled, but a cloud was seen on his brow. "But this was all forgotten long ago, and I am glad that such a good man has such a brave son. You were amongst the seventy Finns at Demmin."