THE suggestion of the little old dame in reference to Rolie Polie came just in the nick of time. Tommy enjoyed very much being a King, and Helen found no less pleasure in being a Queen; but the day had been so full of excitement that both were feeling tired.

It was now drawing towards the close of the afternoon and Helen began to realize that, although it was delightful to be a Queen daytimes, the going down of the sun at the approach of evening made nothing quite so nice as her home and her mamma. This, I am told, is a truth that has also come to many another little girl.

“Your Majesty,” she then said to King Tommy, “do you think it is almost time to start on our return journey?” {152}

“Yes, I do,” answered Tommy. “And, Helen, now that I am a King myself, I need not hunt for the Fairy King to get riches for the kind lady in the hills. I am sure the Toy people will allow me to take some of their treasure.”

“Yes, I am sure they will,” said Helen, “because they will want to make the kind lady happy.”

“I will go at once and find Mr. Poodle,” said Tommy. Then a look of trouble came into his happy face and he added; “What do you think the Toy people will do without a King and Queen when they are threatened by the ruffians of Grumbletown? Perhaps there will be an attack to-night. Do you think I should remain here and be their protector, Helen? Of course you must go home, for if you are late, your mamma will worry.”

Mr. Poodle stood not far away and overheard this talk.

“You need not fear an attack from Grumbletown, at night,” said he, laughing. “Why, King Red Beard and his subjects are such ‘fraid cats’ of the dark, that they never stir out of their houses after sunset. Then, too, they had such a fright to-day, I do not believe they will ever again come to Toyville.”

It was at this moment that the return of Rolie Polie called forth the words of praise from the little old dame.

A bright idea then came to the King, and he hurried off to see his Prime Minister. “Assemble the Lords and Nobles in the Throne Room,” he said to that gentleman, as soon as he had found him.

The Prime Minister hurried to obey the King’s command.

A few moments later, when his Majesty stepped upon his Golden Throne, he found such a gathering of the noblest in the land, as any King might be proud to see. {153}

“My beloved subjects,” he said, “your Queen and your King have ruled over this happy and joyous realm of Toyville as wisely and as loyally as has been within their power. It is now time for us to depart for our home over the hills. We both wish that some person worthy of your trust could occupy the throne in our absence; some one to bear the title, First Assistant King, and we would suggest for this high and responsible position, the brave and clever guard, Mr. Rolie Polie.” Then the King seated himself beside his Queen on the Golden Throne.

In a moment the Mayor was on his feet. “Three cheers for Rolie Polie! Three cheers for the First Assistant King!” he cried, and the answer came long and loud.

Rolie Polie was taken completely by surprise, and knew not what to say. Mr. Poodle also was taken by surprise, but being a man of experience, he was not embarrassed, and told the people he thought their choice was wise.

“Order out the Royal Guard of Honor,” was the message the Mayor now sent to the General of the army. So, not until the little company reached the big gate at the top of the curly road did the time arrive to say good-bye, for in addition to being accompanied by the Royal Guard, their escort included every notable in Toyville.

“Good-bye, your Majesties, good-bye Mr. Poodle,” said Rolie, shaking their hands warmly. Then he added: “I will be a good King and do my best.”

“We know you will,” answered Tommy.

“Yes,” said Mr. Poodle, “do your best, Rolie Polie, then you will win, for that is the way to get on in the world.”

These were the last words spoken as the little company passed through the gates and the big cannon boomed {154} out a parting salute. The sun was now low in the sky, casting a golden glow along the path, and making blue shadows gather in the valley.

They had not ridden long, when Mr. Poodle said: “Here we are at home;” and sure enough, as he spoke, Coal Black and Snow White went galloping into Mr. Poodle’s back garden and over the threshold into the toy shop.

“Do you think Rolie Polie will get along all right, Mr. Poodle?” asked Tommy, as they were bidding good night to the toy maker.

“O, yes,” said Mr. Poodle. “Nobody need worry about a King who has Mother Goose near his throne to help him in his ruling.”

“Mother Goose?” repeated Tommy, wonderingly. “Is Mother Goose in Toyville?” “O, yes,” answered Mr. Poodle, “she was the little old dame who led us out of the garden and saved our being captured by Red Beard. And, by the way, Mother Goose said that she hoped on our next journey, we would continue through the Valley of Happiness, until we came to her realm, where she promised there would be awaiting us the finest kind of a good time.”

“O, Tommy, isn’t Mr. Poodle kind to us!” said Helen, her eyes moist with little pearls of happiness. Tommy’s lips trembled when he tried to reply. Mr. Poodle was such a clever man, though, that I guess he knew what kind of a lump had swelled up in Tommy’s throat, for he didn’t say one single word, but held out both his arms, and in a second there were his playmates hugging him so tightly that it was almost as much as he could do to breathe.