"Well," replied the Queen, "that is why I must make the journey. I shall command the Watch-Dog to sit hereafter upon a rocky shelf above the arch, and then if people will not obey him, and try to get through the arch in spite of my orders, the old man must jump into the river in front of the opening. As soon as he touches the water he will be turned into a great rock, which will block up the archway and prevent anyone from entering my kingdom."
"Oh, I see," said Dot. "Then the Watch-Dog may be of some use, after all."
"I hope so," declared the Queen.
"But what shall we do while you are away?" asked the girl, anxiously.
"You may amuse yourselves by running about the palace, and all my household will wait upon you and obey your orders; for you are now Prince Tot and Princess Dot of Merryland, and your power is second only to my own."
"That's nice," said Tot.
Twinkle now led Dot to her room and helped her prepare for bed. The diamond coverlet was rather heavy to sleep under, so Twinkle laid it aside and covered the girl with a soft, fleecy robe.
Tot also went to his laughing chamber, accompanied by Scollops, who helped him undress and threw over his head a pretty pink silk nightgown. Tot wanted the door between his room and Dot's left open while they slept, so Scollops opened it and the children called good-night to each other.
When Dot lay down upon her bed, the fairy chorus began to sing softly and sweetly; and when Tot lay down the invisible laughter of childish voices rang out like chimes, keeping time to the tinkling chorus from Dot's bed. This was all so soothing and delightful that in less than a minute the children's eyes had closed, and soon they were fast asleep and dreaming sweet dreams of the wonders of Merryland.
CHAPTER XIII. The Revolt of the Dolls
This meal was as dainty and satisfying as the one they had partaken of the night before, and the wax Queen laughed and talked so pleasantly that no one would have suspected she was about to undertake a long journey.
"I shall try to return by sundown," she said to them, "so you will only be alone during the day. I advise you to pass the time by exploring the Valley, and if you wish to ride, the royal coachmen will take you wherever you wish to go."
"May I ask a favor?" said Dot, timidly.
"Certainly, Princess;
ask whatever you will," returned the Queen, as she threw a scarlet cloak over her shoulders and prepared to start.
"I would like you to waken the dolls of the village before you go, so that Tot and I may play with them," said the girl.
The Queen reflected a moment before she replied, "The dolls are often mischievous when they have a whole day to themselves, and you might find them troublesome. However, as you will be sure to enjoy their merry pranks, I'll do as you wish, and leave you the dolls for playmates."
"Oh, thank you ever so much!" cried Dot, gratefully.
The Queen now called the carriages and they all rolled down to the main street of the village. Here her Majesty waved the magic wand three times, and the dolls immediately awoke and began such a chattering and such romping play that the Queen herself became bewildered and ordered the coachman to hasten to the river bank.
Dot and Tot went with her to see her start upon her journey, and when they had passed out of the big gate, which the wooden soldiers opened for them with respectful salutes, the Queen said:
"I am going to borrow your boat, for it will be the easiest way for me to reach the Valley of the Watch-Dog."
"But you can never row it up stream," said Dot; "and there is but one oar."
"Oh, I shall not need the oars at all," responded the Wax Doll, and seated herself in the boat.
"Do you know," said the girl, "that you have not yet told us your name?"
"Didn't I tell you yesterday?" returned the Queen, as if surprised.
"No, indeed," said the girl.
"Well, that was very careless of me. I am so busy that sometimes I forget to do things. But I must be going, so goodbye my dears; I hope the dolls won't bother you too much."
"We shall enjoy them," replied Dot.
The Queen now waved her fairy wand and at once the boat glided from the shore.
"Good-bye, your Majesty!" cried Dot and Tot together.
Swiftly the boat floated up the stream so swiftly, indeed, that the water rippled like music against the bow. The children waved their handkerchiefs at the fairy doll until she had reached the arch leading to the Valley of Babies, when they passed through the gateway and, dismissing their coachmen, walked up the village street to visit the dolls.
These were really becoming rather boisterous and ran about in circles, playing "I spy," and blind-man's buff, and London Bridge with much laughter and noise. When they saw Dot and Tot they ran up to them and cried:
"Start the music box! We want to dance."
"I do not know how. The Queen has the key with her," answered Dot, shouting loudly that she might be heard above the tumult.
The dolls seemed greatly disappointed at this, and one saucy-looking wooden-jointed doll said crossly: