CHAPTER III.
_About the Firedrake_.
Of all the people who did not like Prigio, his own dear papa, King Grognio, disliked him most.

For the king knew he was not clever, himself.

When he was in the counting-house, counting out his money, and when he happened to say, "Sixteen shillings and fourteen and twopence are three pounds, fifteen," it made him wild to hear Prigio whisper, "One pound, ten and twopence"-- which, of course, it _is_.

And the king was afraid that Prigio would conspire, and get made king himself--which was the last thing Prigio really wanted.

He much preferred to idle about, and know everything without seeming to take any trouble.
{The King at his desk: p15.jpg} Well, the king thought and thought.