And I am afraid that the work I took up when I assumed the crown I must stick to. I'm afraid-- I've got to stay."
"For good--for your whole life?" asked Bumpo in a low voice.
For some moments the Doctor, frowning, made no answer.
"I don't know," he said at last--"Anyhow for the present there is certainly no hope of my leaving. It wouldn't be right."
The sad silence that followed was broken finally by a knock upon the door.
With a patient sigh the Doctor got up and put on his crown and cloak again.
"Come in," he called, sitting down in his chair once more.
The door opened and a footman--one of the hundred and forty-three who were always on night duty--stood bowing in the entrance.
"Oh, Kindly One," said he, "there is a traveler at the palace-gate who would have speech with Your Majesty."
"Another baby's been born, I'll bet a shilling," muttered Polynesia.
"Did you ask the traveler's name?" enquired the Doctor.
"Yes, Your Majesty," said the footman. "It is Long Arrow, the son of Golden Arrow."