It was curious that he should have inspired Daphne at first sight with a vague repulsion, and that Ruby should have felt a similar antipathy, though, with her, it took the form of a violent fit of the giggles--but so it was. Daphne was thankful that she was able to remain at a distance from him, as she was not lunching at the Royal Table. He was shy at first, as most persons would be if the first meal they had ever eaten away from their own home had to be consumed in the presence of Royalty, but he had been evidently trained to observe the ordinary table etiquette, and as he became more at ease he talked fluently enough, though at times with a _naivete_ that was almost childlike, and increased Clarence's resolve to pull his leg whenever he saw an opportunity. "Your Majesties must pardon my asking the question," he said, in his thin, piping voice, as he helped himself to a cutlet, "but is this what is called _meat_?" "So we're given to understand by the butcher, Count," replied Clarence. "Why do you want to know?" "Because," he replied, "I've often _heard_ of meat, but this is the first time I've ever _seen_ it. Do you know," he went on presently, "I _like_ meat. I shall have some more." "I should, if I were you," advised Clarence; "it may make you grow!" which reduced Ruby to silent convulsions. "Do you really think it _will_?" inquired the Count, either not noticing, or tactfully disregarding, Princess Ruby's lapse from good manners. "It might. My poor dear Father and Mother were both great meat-eaters, I believe, before they took to vegetarianism, which was quite late in life. I cannot remember seeing them, but I've always understood that they were much taller than I am." "You don't say so," returned Clarence. "Must have been most interesting people to meet." "They were, your Royal Highness. Though, unfortunately, I cannot speak of my own knowledge. As your Majesties may be aware, during the short time they were spared to me I was too young to appreciate their society." "Well, well, Count," said Queen Selina, perceiving that this was delicate ground, "it's all very sad, but you must try not to think about it now. The Marshal tells me you give a great deal of your time to growing vegetables. How do tomatoes do with you?" "I don't pay any attention to tomatoes, your Majesty," he replied, with a blush that few tomatoes could have outdone. "My efforts have been chiefly directed to pumpkins. I have reared some particularly fine ones. I am very fond of pumpkins." "Jolly little things, ain't they?" put in Clarence. "So playful!" "_Are_ they?" said the Count with perfect simplicity. "I did not know that. But then I have never attempted to play with _my_ pumpkins." "Haven't you?" said Clarence. "Well, you get 'em to play kiss-in-the-ring with you, and you'll find out how frisky they can be!" "I do not know anything about kissing," he confessed, "except that it is very wrong."