Page:The Floating Prince - Frank R Stockton.djvu/104

Rh The next day, early in the morning, the Gudra summoned the guide, and told him his object in visiting the city.

"I suppose there are teachers of eminence in this place," said he.

"Oh yes, good sir!" replied the other. "There are persons here who can teach anything from alchemy to zoology, and there are also excellent schools."

"Which is the best school?" asked the Gudra.

"The very best?" said the other.

"Yes, certainly," replied the Gudra sharply; "of course I mean the very best."

"Well, then," said the Ordinary Man, "the very best school is the one where the young prince, the only son of the reigning Prince of the city, is educated. In it are all our most learned professors, and there is a class for every branch of education. But the young prince is the only pupil in the school. He is the only one in each class, and all the apartments, and apparatus, and books, and all the professors and tutors are for him alone."

"That is the very school I want," cried the Gudra. "It is just what I am looking for."

"But it would be impossible for you to get your daughter into that school," said the Ordinary Man. "It was established solely for the young prince, and his father will allow no one else to enter it. Some of our highest grandees have asked that their children might be permitted to share the instruction of the young prince, in this most admirable school, but they have always been denied the privilege."

"That makes no difference," said the Gudra. "I have never asked. I shall do so instantly. I shall write a letter to the Prince of the city, tell him who I am, and ask that my daughter be allowed to study in this school, where everything seems to be