“Is that all?” asked the King. “Doesn’t any one else know another?” “I think,” said Boy, “that I could repeat ‘Simple Simon.’” “That’s right,” cried His Majesty; “try.” So Boy began: ``"Simple Simon went a-skating ```On a pond in June. ``'Dear me,’ he cried, ‘this water’s wet, ```I fear I’ve come too soon.’= ``"Simple Simon saw a sparrow ```Flying through the air. ``'Why shouldn’t I have wings?’ he cried; ```'I’m sure it isn’t fair.’= ``"So simple Simon bought some feathers, ```Made a pair of wings; ``And now he’s broken both his legs ```He calls them ‘foolish things.’= His Majesty seemed very pleased with this rhyme, and Boy had to say it over again. Then the King proposed a game of blind man’s buff, and they had a fine time in the old Hall, till tea was ready, when they all went out on to the Terrace again and had it served at little tables. [Illustration: 0135] They had the bread and jam cut rather thick because they were all very hungry after their exertions, and as His Majesty drank milk and water, the others were obliged to do the same. Boy could see the Lord High Adjudicator and the Lord High Fiddle-de-dee making very wry faces over it; but it would not have been considered etiquette for them to have tea while the King drank milk and water. Soon after Tea His Majesty went back to the Palace after telling them all that he had enjoyed himself very much indeed and hoped to see them all the next day. “That’s all very well,” said the Lord High Adjudicator, when His Majesty and the Royal Nurse had gone, “but I don’t see how the Public affairs can be attended to while this sort of thing goes on. I can quite see that having a King so young as His Majesty may cause us considerable difficulty in the future.” “That is very easily remedied, gentlemen,” said a voice from the other end of the Hall, and turning around they beheld an extraordinary-looking old man, in a long, flowing red gown and a high conical hat. His beard, which was very long, was perfectly white, while bushy black eyebrows shaded a pair of very bright, piercing eyes; his hat and gown were both embroidered with a number of mysterious-looking figures and signs. How he had entered the Hall was a mystery, for no one saw him come in, and there was no door near where he was standing. “That’s very easily remedied, gentlemen,” he repeated, glancing rapidly from one to the other from under his shaggy eyebrows. “I can very soon help you out of the difficulty if you wish, for I am ‘Ohah,’ the Magician. You may have heard of me before.” CHAPTER VIII.--OH AH, THE MAGICIAN. [Illustration: 9138] HE greatest consternation followed this announcement, and the Lord High Adjudicator in particular looked greatly alarmed. “Wh--wh--what do you want?” he stammered nervously. “I think I have the pleasure of addressing His Importance the Lord High Adjudicator, have I not?” replied Ohah. “I scarcely recognised you in that--ahem--that costume,” he added, smiling sarcastically.