“Very well, my son,” said the General, “then you stay another twenty-four hours for me.” A Profitable Call King Frederick William III was in the habit of coming to the Queen’s sitting-room every morning, to breakfast with her, preferably on some fresh fruit. One morning, he saw on her work-table a pretty new lace cap. Smiling, he asked the price of it. “It is not necessary,” replied the Queen merrily, “that the men should know what women’s finery costs; they don’t understand, and think everything is too dear.” “But you can tell me what the cap cost. I should like to know!” “Oh, yes; I chose a cheap one; it was only four thalers.” “Only? Why that’s a lot of money for a thing like that!” The king, standing by the window, kept on teasing her, until an invalid soldier of his guard passed by. The King called him into the room. He had hardly entered when the King said to him: “The lady on the sofa there has a lot of money. What do you think, old comrade, she gave for that cap on the table? Now don’t let the pretty pink ribbon dazzle you!” The old fellow, inexperienced in such things, said: “Well, it may have cost a few groschen.” “There, do you hear that?” laughed the King. “Oh, yes; groschen. She paid four thalers for it! Now you go over there and let the beautiful lady give you as much.” Looking at the King, she quickly opened her purse and put four thalers into the old soldier’s hand. “But,” she added with a mischievous smile, “the gentleman at the window has much more money than I. All I have I owe to him, and he loves to give. Just go over and let him give you double the amount.” The lucky veteran departed, delighted with his morning call. Dislike of Formality Frederick William III was not fond of the extremely formal court etiquette prevailing at the time. Even as Crown Prince, he gave numerous proofs of his dislike of the stiff formalities which prevented an intimate family life. Once the mistress of ceremonies, Frau von Voss, reproved him for speaking of the Queen as “my wife” instead of saying “her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess.” The King promising to reform said: “Now, my dear Voss, announce me to her Royal Highness the Crown Princess, and ask if I may have the honor to speak to her Royal Highness.” The mistress of ceremonies went to fulfil his command, walking with the slow, dignified, solemn step which etiquette prescribed. When she entered the Queen’s apartment, the King, who was already there, sitting arm in arm with his “Louise,” called to the horrified lady: “Why my dear Voss, her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess, is not to be seen for an hour, and I mean to spend that time with ‘my wife.’” Too Much Work