"
"Am I, dear? But I'm just the same inside, you know. And, for heaven's
sake, Princess, do not call me 'sir.'"
"But the big gentleman that belongs here an' has all these lovely
flowers an' everything--he says as I must always say 'sir.'"
"Big gentleman?"
"Yes, the big, soft gentleman with the cute little curls on his cheeks."
"Oh--him!" said Ravenslee, laughing suddenly. "Indeed a very just
description, Princess. But you don't have to worry about him any more;
he's gone."
"Gone? For good?"
"For very good indeed!"
"Doesn't all this beautiful, beautiful place belong t' him any more?"
"Never any more."
"Have you come here 'stead of him? Come t' stay?"
"Yes."
"An' can I pick a rose t' kiss sometimes?"
"As many as you like."
"Oh!" sighed the child rapturously, nestling within his arm, "isn't that
just--fine! I guess this sure is the Beautiful City of Perhaps, after
all!"
"I wonder?"
"Oh, but I'm sure it is--now th' gentleman's gone I just know it is!"
"What makes you so sure?"
"Everything! 'Cause you see, Prince, my daddy don't have t' be away all
day any more.
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