Part 23 (1/2)

”I am very sorry,” said the Queen, after another long pause; ”I had hoped to keep you with me always. But in my Kingdom of Merryland no one must be unhappy--it is the law. And if you really wish to return home it would make you unhappy to stay. So,” she added, quietly, ”you may go whenever you wish.”

”How?” asked Tot, excited at the prospect.

”In your boat, of course. You have only to float down the river and through another tunnel to reach the big outside world again. But when you have pa.s.sed through I shall close up the tunnel forever, so you will never be able to return.”

”That's all right,” returned Tot, gleefully.

”I shall be sorry never to see you again,” said Dot, gently, as she clasped one of the fairy doll's pretty hands in her own. ”You have been so kind to us, and I'm sure Tot is as grateful as I am. But he's a boy, you know.”

”I know,” said the Queen, with a smile.

”Let's go now,” urged Tot, as if he couldn't wait a minute, now the matter was decided.

”How can you get to the Fourth Valley if we take the boat?” Dot asked the Queen.

”That will be easy,” she answered, pleasantly; ”my fairy wand will carry me home.”

”Come on, then!” cried Tot, leaping into the boat.

Dot turned to kiss the pretty Queen, who exclaimed: ”Be careful of my wax!”

But she stood on her tiptoes and gave the little girl a dainty, airy kiss that just brushed her lips.

”Good-bye my Princess,” she said, and turning to the boy, added:

”Good-bye, Prince Tot of Merryland.”

”Good-bye,” called Tot from the boat. ”You're nice, an' I love you.

But I love my mamma, too.”

”To be sure,” answered the Queen, sweetly.

Dot now stepped in beside Tot, and the fairy doll placed the basket in the boat and pushed it away from the sh.o.r.e.

As they floated slowly down the stream the Queen followed along the top of the high bank, as if to keep them in sight as long as possible; and Dot was looking at her almost regretfully when suddenly a thought flashed into her mind. She stood up in the boat and called out:

”You've never told us your name!”

”Haven't I, really?” asked the Queen, as if greatly surprised.

”No,” said Dot. ”I want to know what it is.”

”So do I,” yelled Tot, standing up beside the girl and steadying himself by her arm.

”Certainly. I'll tell you now,” cried the Queen, still running along the bank. But scarcely had she spoken when she threw up both her hands and screamed:

”Look out for the arch!”