governor, to sit here by a good fire keeping myself warm—though, to be sure, it would be well enough sometimes, especially in winter, when one has such fine clothes as mine, which just let the wind in where they should keep it out; but I should like to be something like that stick on the[Pg 29] castle clock which is always moving backwards and forwards—something that is always on the move."

[Pg 29]

"Always on the move!" laughed the king. "Well then, gossip, I'll take you for my courier; and if you like, you need not keep still a moment."

"I don't mind!" said Miska joyously. "Then I will be a courier."

"You will get tired of it, boy. But tell me one thing: do you know anything?"

Miska fixed his large eyes on the king.

"Anything?" he asked, hurt and flushing. "Really, sir, when I come to consider—thunder!—it seems to me as if I knew just nothing at all!"

"Then do you wish to learn?"

"Go to school?" asked Miska; "I don't wish that at all."

"There is no need for that," said the king; "we will find some other way. Those who want to learn, can learn without going to school. You will learn to write and read, which is only play after all to any one who does not wish to remain a dunce. Do you understand?"

"I don't mind," said Miska.

"Well, then," said the king, turning to the governor, "let him be clothed, and then you can present him."

[Pg 30]Thereupon the king withdrew to his own apartments, where some of the great nobles were already waiting for him in one of the saloons, and were not a little surprised to see him appear travel-stained and dusty, but in the most lively spirits.

[Pg 30]

An hour later Miska had had a bath, and had donned a clean shirt and the becoming livery worn by the royal pages of the second rank.

The change in his attire had completely metamorphosed him, and now, as he stood before the king, the latter was more than ever struck by his face.

"Listen," said he, 

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