"Well, not quite everything," the Professor modestly rejoined. "There are two or three scientific difficulties"
"What was your general impression as to His Imperial Fatness?" the Emperor asked the Gold Stick.
"My impression was that His Imperial Fatness was getting more"
"More what?"
All listened breathlessly for the next word.
"More prickly!"
"He must be sent for at once!" the Emperor exclaimed. And the Gold Stick went off like a shot. The Elfin-King sadly shook his head. "No use, no use!" he murmured to himself. "Loveless, loveless!"
Pale, trembling, speechless, the Gold Stick came slowly back again.
"Well?" said the Emperor. "Why does not the Prince appear?"
"One can easily guess, said the Professor. "His Imperial Fatness is, without doubt, a little preoccupied."
Bruno turned a look of solemn enquiry on his old friend. "What do that word mean?"
