“WONT YOU SPEAK?”

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 286, 29 August 1931, Page 23

“WONT YOU SPEAK?”

Shy Little Boy and the King A little boy was lying in his cot in the children’s ward of the new King GCorge Hospital, which was opened by the King at Ilford recently. The little boy’s feet were where his head should have been and he was talking earnestly to his teddy bear. “Teddy,” he was saying, “you’ve got to behave yourself to-day. The King of England’s coming to see you.” “Doesn’t Teddy usually behave, then?” asked a voice above them. The little boy looked up into the smiling bearded face of the King of England, but the boy was too frlghten'ed to reply. '■ He just hid his face in his hands, and teddy bear lay oh his back and stared, dumbfounded, at the ceiling, it was an awkward situation for them both. The King leaned over the cot. “Aren’t you going to speak to me?” he asked. No answer. “That’s a funny way of sleeping.” No answer. “When Is your birthday?” No answer. “I shall talk to Teddy Bear if you won’t speak to me.” Nd answer. “Very well, then. I shall go away.” The King moved towards the next cot and then looked over his shoulder. The little boy was kneeling up in his cot with such pitiful entreaty in his eyes that the King returned. Arid what is more the King took him in his arms, to the astonishment and envy of every other child in the ward. “You’re not frightened of me, are you?” asked the King. “No, sir,” said the little boy.