Be prepared.

" "Ah, dear friend," replied Princess Mary, "I have asked you never to warn me of the humor my father is in.

I do not allow myself to judge him and would not have others do so.

" The princess glanced at her watch and, seeing that she was five minutes late in starting her practice on the clavichord, went into the sitting room with a look of alarm.

Between twelve and two o'clock, as the day was mapped out, the prince rested and the princess played the clavichord.