“Nay, thrones cannot be shared thus,” said the Hermit, looking at both boys with some agitation.  “You are a king’s son.  But we are of the woods, my Prince.  I at least have other work to do.  As John says, there is the Animal Kingdom—­what is to become of that?”

“Why, there will be no need for you to go to find it,” answered the Prince eagerly.  “When I am king all shall be changed.  This shall be the Animal Kingdom.  There shall be no more hunting or killing here.  There shall be pets,—­more than in any other land.  For I have seen how unhappy are folk who live without them.”

“Now God be praised!” cried the good Hermit, with tears in his eyes.

And John embraced the Prince heartily, while the little Princess clapped her hands and cried with shining eyes, “Oh! we shall all live together forever and ever, as happily as if this were the lovely forest which is John’s home.”

“Nay,” said the Hermit gravely, “I cannot live here.  I must go back to my woods.  I have vowed never again to live away from my Forest Kingdom.  But you, John, have taken no vow.  Will you stay here with the Prince, or will you go back with me?  Make now your choice.”

John looked wistfully at the Prince and Princess, for he loved them well.  He looked at the animals who crowded around him and seemed to be listening to his words.  He knew how eager they were to be back in the forest.  He looked at the Hermit.

“Oh, stay!” cried the Prince.  “Stay and be my brother, and I will make you rich and powerful.”

“Oh, stay!” begged the little Princess.  “Stay and be my brother, too!”

But John shook his head.  “I cannot stay,” he said.  “If my dear father will have me for his pupil still, I will go back with him.  For though it is pleasant here, I love best the life of the woods and the freedom of the forest.  And I long to learn what no one in this kingdom can teach me:  the art of healing and helping, as did that good John whose name I bear.”

The Hermit’s face beamed like May sunshine, but he said nothing.

“Then I will go to the forest with you!” cried the Prince.  “I will not stay here.  I do not want to be king.  I too would be free and happy in the Kingdom of the Forest.”

“And I will go also!” said the Princess.

“Hush!” said the Hermit gravely.  “That may not be.  Your duty lies here.  When you are king, my Prince, you can make your kingdom into a happy place.  Then, little Princess, you will be proud of it and of him.  Your duty is to the kingdom where you were born, and to the people of it, whom you can make happier and better.  But perhaps, some day when I am gone to a still fairer kingdom, John will be able to help you, as another John once helped another King.”

At this moment there was a noise at the window which led to the balcony, and the King stepped out to them.  How long he had been standing inside, how much of their talk he had heard, no one knew.