Page 649 - the-idiot

‘Good-morning! My head whirls so; I didn’t sleep all
night. I should like to have a nap now.’
‘Here, on the verandah? Very well, I’ll tell them all not to
come and wake you. Papa has gone out somewhere.’
The servant left the room. Vera was about to follow her,
but returned and approached the prince with a preoccupied
air.
‘Prince!’ she said, ‘have pity on that poor boy; don’t turn
him out today.’
‘Not for the world; he shall do just as he likes.’
‘He won’t do any harm now; and—and don’t be too se-
vere with him,’
‘Oh dear no! Why—‘
‘And—and you won’t LAUGH at him? That’s the chief
thing.’
‘Oh no! Never.’
‘How foolish I am to speak of such things to a man like
you,’ said Vera, blushing. ‘Though you DO look tired,’ she
added, half turning away,’ your eyes are so splendid at this
moment—so full of happiness.’
‘Really?’ asked the prince, gleefully, and he laughed in
delight.
But Vera, simple-minded little girl that she was (just like
a boy, in fact), here became dreadfully confused, of a sudden,
and ran hastily out of the room, laughing and blushing.
‘What a dear little thing she is,’ thought the prince, and
immediately forgot all about her.
He walked to the far end of the verandah, where the
sofa stood, with a table in front of it. Here he sat down and

The Idiot