“Only to grown-ups,” said Tessa, looking incredulous.

Bernard put his arm round her.  “No,” he said.  “It’s the children who come first with Him.  He may not give them just what they ask for, but it’s generally something better.”

Tessa stared at him, her eyes round and dark.  “S’pose,” she said suddenly, “a big snake was to come out of that corner, and I was to say, ‘Don’t let it bite me, Lord!’ Do you think it would?”

“No,” said Bernard very decidedly.

“Oh!” said Tessa.  “Well, I wish one would then, for I’d love to see if it would or not.”

Bernard pulled her to him and kissed her.  “We won’t talk any more about snakes or you’ll be dreaming of them,” he said.  “Come along and dine with me!  Rather sport having it all to ourselves, eh?”

“Where’s Aunt Stella and Uncle Everard?” asked Tessa.

“Oh, they’re preparing for the reception.  Let me take your Highness’s cloak!  This is the banqueting-room.”

He threw the cloak over a chair in the verandah, and led her into the drawing-room, where a small table lighted by candles with crimson shades awaited them.

“How pretty!” cried Tessa, clapping her hands.

Peter in snowy attire, benign and magnificent, attended to their wants, and the feast proceeded, vastly enjoyed by both.  Tessa had never been so feted in all her small life before.

When, at the end of the repast, to an accompaniment of nuts and sweetmeats, Bernard poured her a tiny ruby-coloured liqueur glass of wine, her delight knew no bounds.

“I’ve never enjoyed myself so much before,” she declared.  “What a ducky little glass!  Now I’m going to drink your health!”

“No.  I drink yours first.”  Bernard arose, holding his glass high.  “I drink to the Princess Bluebell.  May she grow fairer every day!  And may her cup of blessing be always full!”

“Thank you,” said Tessa.  “And now, Uncle St. Bernard, I’m going to drink to you.  May you always have lots to laugh at!  And may your prayers always come true!  That rhymes, doesn’t it?” she added complacently.  “Do I drink all my wine now, or only a sip?”

“Depends,” said Bernard.

“How does it depend?”

“It depends on how much you love me,” he explained.  “If there’s any one else you love better, you save a little for him.”

She looked straight at him with a hint of embarrassment in her eyes. 
“I’m afraid I love Uncle Everard best,” she said.

Bernard smiled upon her with reassuring kindliness.  “Quite right, my child.  So you ought.  There’s Tommy too and Aunt Stella.  I am sure you want to drink to them.”

Tessa slipped round the table to his side, clasping her glass tightly.  As she came within the circle of his arm she whispered, “Yes, I love them ever such a lot.  But I love you best of all, except Uncle Everard, and he doesn’t want me when he’s got Aunt Stella.  I s’pose you never wanted a little girl for your very own did you?”