The Love of a King——6、The King is Dead!Long Live the King

In January 1936 Edward went to Windsor for a few weeks.He was tired of town life and he wanted to work in his garden and ride his horses.

But then,one afternoon,there was a phone call from Queen Mary.'Edward,'she said.'you mut come back im-mediately.Your father is very ill and I think he's giong to die.'

When Edward arrived,he went straight to his father's room.He walked to the side of the bed and kissed his father's white face.The King opened his eyes and smiled.Then he took his son's hand and said:'Be a good King,Edward.And be good to your mother.'

'Yes,father,I will.'

The King closed his eyes and did not speak again.Just after midnight he died.

The Queen Mary took Edward's hand and kissed it.'My child,you are now King,'she said softly.'God be with you.'

His three brothers came to him,one by one,and they each kissed his hand.'The King is dead.Long live the King,'they said.

At one o'clock Edward left the room to telephone Wallis.'My father is dead,'he said.

'I'm so sorry,Sir.'

'I must stay here for a while,'Edward went on.'But I'll phone you at the weenend.Nothing will change between you and me.I love you more than ever,and you will be my Queen.'

'Let's not talk about that now,'Wallis replied.'You must go back to your family.'

'But you are my family,Wallis.You are everything to me.Good night.Sleep well.'

When Wallis put the phone down that night,she suddenly felt afraid.'Edward is now King,'she thought,'but what will happen to me?'