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+<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
+<html>
+    <head>
+        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content=
+        "text/html; charset=us-ascii">
+        <title>
+            The Project Gutenberg eBook of Dot and Tot of
+            Merryland, by L. Frank Baum
+        </title>
+        <style type="text/css">
+h1 { text-align: center }
+        h2 { text-align: center }
+        .sig { margin-left:60% }
+        .poem { margin-left:15% }
+        body { margin-left:10%; margin-right:10% }
+        </style>
+    </head>
+    <body>
+
+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dot and Tot of Merryland, by L. Frank Baum
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Dot and Tot of Merryland
+
+Author: L. Frank Baum
+
+Illustrator: W. W. Denslow
+
+Release Date: November 11, 2011 [EBook #37976]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOT AND TOT OF MERRYLAND ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Michael Gray
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="The book's cover">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <table border="1" align="center">
+            <tr>
+                <td>
+                    <h1>
+                        Books for Children
+                    </h1>
+                    <p align="center">
+                        by
+                    </p>
+                    <p align="center">
+                        <font size="4">L. Frank Baum</font><br>
+                        <font size="3">Illustrated by W. W.
+                        Denslow</font>
+                    </p>
+                    <hr width="90%">
+                    <hr width="90%">
+                    <h2>
+                        The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
+                    </h2>
+                    <p align="center">
+                        Uniform with Dot and Tot. 275 pages. 24
+                        full page in-<br>
+                        serts in eight colors and over 150 colored
+                        text illustrations.<br>
+                        <br>
+                        <big>Price $1.50</big>
+                    </p>
+                    <hr width="90%">
+                    <h2>
+                        Father Goose: His Book
+                    </h2>
+                    <p align="center">
+                        Large Quarto, printed in four colors,
+                        ornamental boards.<br>
+                        <br>
+                        <big>Price $1.25</big><br>
+                        <br>
+                        The most successful juvenile book of the
+                        age.
+                    </p>
+                    <hr width="90%">
+                    <h2>
+                        The Songs of Father Goose
+                    </h2>
+                    <p align="center">
+                        With Music by Alberta N. Hall. Large
+                        Quarto,<br>
+                        ornamental boards.<br>
+                        <br>
+                        <big>Price $1.00</big>
+                    </p>
+                </td>
+            </tr>
+        </table><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/7.jpg" alt="title page">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/8.jpg" alt="Verso">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p align="center">
+            <b>AUTHOR'S NOTE</b>
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The success achieved last year by "The Wonderful Wizard
+            of Oz"&mdash;a book that not only ran through many
+            large editions, but brought the author hundreds of
+            letters from interested little folks&mdash;has induced
+            me to follow that tale with another, herein presented.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Should "Dot and Tot of Merryland" win the approval of
+            my young friends, I shall be pleased and contented.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            In any event Mr. Denslow's quaint and merry pictures,
+            which, in this book excel all his previous work, will
+            be sure to induce happiness in the heart of every
+            beholder.
+        </p>
+        <p class="sig">
+            L. FRANK BAUM.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Chicago, July 1, 1901.
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/10.jpg" alt="A toy soldier" align=
+            "left">
+        </p>
+        <p class="poem">
+            <i>DEDICATION.</i>
+        </p>
+        <p class="poem">
+            <i>To ev'ry laughter-loving Tot&mdash;<br>
+            Whether your name be Dot or not;<br>
+            And may you find a Merryland<br>
+            Forever lying close at hand.</i>
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/11.jpg" alt="A doll">
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            CHAPTER LIST
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            I.&mdash;<a href="#1">Roselawn</a><br>
+            II.&mdash;<a href="#2">Tot</a><br>
+            III.&mdash;<a href="#3">The Boat</a><br>
+            IV.&mdash;<a href="#4">Under the Cliffs</a><br>
+            V.&mdash;<a href="#5">The Watch-Dog of
+            Merryland</a><br>
+            VI.&mdash;<a href="#6">The First Valley</a><br>
+            VII.&mdash;<a href="#7">The Clown Country</a><br>
+            VIII.&mdash;<a href="#8">The Second Valley</a><br>
+            IX.&mdash;<a href="#9">The Third Valley</a><br>
+            X.&mdash;<a href="#10">The Queen of Merryland</a><br>
+            XI.&mdash;<a href="#11">The Palace of Wonders</a><br>
+            XII.&mdash;<a href="#12">Prince Tot and Princess
+            Dot</a><br>
+            XIII.&mdash;<a href="#13">The Revolt of the
+            Dolls</a><br>
+            XIV.&mdash;<a href="#14">The Queen's Fairy Wand</a><br>
+            XV.&mdash;<a href="#15">The Valley of Pussycats</a><br>
+            XVI.&mdash;<a href="#16">The Busy Mr. Split</a><br>
+            XVII.&mdash;<a href="#17">The Animals that Wound
+            Up</a><br>
+            XVIII.&mdash;<a href="#18">The Valley of Lost
+            Things</a><br>
+            XIX.&mdash;<a href="#19">The Lost Crowns</a><br>
+            XX.&mdash;<a href="#20">The Voyage Ends</a>
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p align="left">
+            <a name="1"><img src="images/13a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter One&mdash;Roselawn"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/13b.jpg" alt="Y" align="left">OU
+            should have seen Dot as she nestled among the cushions
+            of the carriage on her way to the railway station with
+            her father and governess, Miss Bombien. Her dainty
+            white gown was covered with tucks and puffings and
+            embroideries, as became the dress of the daughter of
+            the wealthy banker who sat smilingly beside her. Her
+            soft, braided white hat had a wide brim that drooped
+            languidly over the pale little face beneath, and broad,
+            white ribbons drew down the brim until all the yellow
+            curls were hidden away. Indeed, the only bits of color
+            about Dot that showed were her deep blue eyes and rosy
+            lips. Even these last were not so rosy as they should
+            have been, for Dot was not in her usual good health,
+            having been confined to the big city house during a
+            long winter and a chill, uncomfortable spring.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            But, now that the flowers were blooming and the birds
+            singing in the new-leaved trees, she was going, in
+            charge of her governess, to pass the summer at
+            Roselawn, a beautiful country home her father had
+            recently purchased.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You must try not to be lonely, dear," said her father,
+            as he held her little hand in his big, strong one. "I
+            have told Miss Bombien to let you run and romp to your
+            heart's content, so the roses may more quickly return
+            to your pale cheeks."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot's eyes brightened. To run and romp as she pleased
+            would indeed be a new experience to her, and she was
+            happy even to think of such delight.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You will have no one but Miss Bombien for company,"
+            continued her father; "but there are plenty of
+            servants, and I am told the grounds are in beautiful
+            condition. In a few days, at most, Sweetheart, I shall
+            run down to see you, and then you can tell me how you
+            like your new home. In the meanwhile, Miss Bombien will
+            simply look after your comfort; there will be no
+            lessons to bother you. All you must do is eat and sleep
+            and play, and to grow strong and rosy-cheeked again."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/15.jpg" alt="Dot" align="right"> Dot
+            listened to al this with much pleasure, and decided she
+            was about to have a fine holiday. Her real name, by the
+            way, was Evangeline Josephine Freeland; but mamma and
+            papa had always called her "Dot" from the day she was
+            born, so sometimes she almost forgot she had such a
+            beautiful name as Evangeline Josephine.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot's mamma was an invalid, and had been taken by her
+            father&mdash;Dot's grandfather, you know&mdash;for a
+            trip to Europe, in search of better health, and so she
+            had been forced to leave her little daughter to the
+            watchful care of Miss Bombien. Mr. Freeland, although
+            he loved Dot dearly, was a very busy man and could
+            devote but little time to his child. "So, Sweetheart,"
+            he told her, "you will be Queen of Roselawn this
+            summer, and I will come down once in a while to bow
+            before your Majesty's throne."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            What he really feared was that Dot might grow up weak
+            and delicate as her mother was; but he did not tell the
+            child this. He resolved, however, that if fresh air and
+            healthy surroundings could give his little girl
+            strength and health, they should be at her command, and
+            therefore he had purchased Roselawn almost entirely on
+            Dot's account.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Before she realized it, Dot found herself at the
+            railway station and aboard a parlor car, where her
+            father gave her a long and loving farewell kiss. Then
+            Mr. Freeland stood upon the platform and waved his hand
+            to his daughter, while the train slowly glided out from
+            the station and began its journey into the sweet, fresh
+            country.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Roselawn won the girl's heart at first sight. The cool
+            but sun-kissed mansion seemed delightful after the
+            stuffy, formal city house. It was built in a quaint yet
+            pretty fashion, with many wings and gables and broad
+            verandas on every side. Before it were acres and acres
+            of velvety green lawn, sprinkled with shrubbery and
+            dotted with beds of bright flowers. In every direction
+            were winding paths, covered with white gravel, which
+            led to all parts of the grounds, looking for all the
+            world like a map, Dot thought.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            From the first day of her arrival, Dot was all
+            eagerness and joy. Miss Bombien fully obeyed her
+            instructions to let the child run. Dot entered the
+            house only to eat her meals, which she did with growing
+            appetite, and then away she would romp to chase
+            butterflies, visit the stables or poultry yard, or sit
+            near the river bank and watch the driftwood float by.
+            Sometimes a boat danced over the broad, blue waters,
+            and then Dot would jump up and down and clap her hands
+            in ecstasy at the pretty sight. The river soon became
+            her favorite resort, for the green banks and terraces
+            before the house ran down to the water's edge.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Miss Bombien passed her days in hammock swung under a
+            side porch, where she read a great many books and
+            enjoyed herself in her own way. She did not bother to
+            watch Dot, thinking the child could get into no
+            mischief beyond a torn frock or a soiled face.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/17.jpg" alt="Dot and a chicken">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            One morning, having finished her breakfast and
+            scampered out upon the lawn, as usual, Dot chanced to
+            notice a tiny path that led through a small opening in
+            a high and thick hedge. She had never been in this
+            direction before, and although she had often seen the
+            hedge, she had not thought there was a way to pass
+            through it. So a spirit of adventure came over her.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'll explore," said Dot to herself.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Pat, pat, patter went the little feet on the gravel,
+            and soon the busy hedge was reached and the opening
+            passed.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then Dot stopped suddenly and looked around. A cozy
+            little vine-covered cottage nearly surrounded by
+            blooming posies, was before her. From the doorway,
+            however, a path led to Dot's feet, and sitting in the
+            middle of this path, slowly piling pebbles into his
+            broad-brimmed straw hat, was a little boy.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/18.jpg" alt="Tot">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="2"><img src="images/19a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Two&mdash;Tot"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/19b.jpg" alt="T" align="left">HE boy
+            was a year or two younger than Dot, and seemed a chubby
+            little fellow as he sat with his legs spread apart and
+            his dark eyes raised wonderingly to the face of his
+            unexpected visitor. Waves of brown hair clustered
+            loosely about his broad forehead, and his dress was
+            neat, though of a coarse material.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            He paused in his play and stared hard at Dot for a
+            moment; then dropped his eyes bashfully and ran his
+            fingers through the white pebbles in an embarrassed
+            way.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Who are you?" asked the girl, in the calm,
+            matter-of-fact tone peculiar to children, while she
+            continued to regard the boy with the interest of a
+            discoverer.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Tot," was the low reply.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Tot who?" she demanded.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Tot Tompum," murmured the boy.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Tompum! That doesn't mean anything," said Dot,
+            decidedly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            This positive statement seemed to annoy the little
+            fellow. He raised his eyes half shyly a moment and
+            said, in a louder voice:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Papa Tompum cuts the grass, an' makes the flowers
+            grow. I'm Tot Tompum."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh," said Dot; "you must mean Thompson. Thompson's the
+            gardener, I know, and gardeners make the flowers grow
+            and cut the grass."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boy nodded his head twice as if to say she was
+            right.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Gard'ner," he repeated. "Papa Tompum. I'm Tot Tompum."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then he took courage to look up again, and seeing a
+            friendly smile upon Dot's face he asked boldly, "Who is
+            you?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, I'm Dot," she answered, sitting down beside him.
+            "My whole name is Dot Freeland."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Dot F'eelan'," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Freeland," corrected Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "F'eelan'," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Never mind," laughed the girl; "let us play together.
+            What were you doing with the pebbles?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Jack-stones," said the boy, and gravely picking out
+            five of the white pebbles, nearly of one size, he
+            tossed them into the air and tried to catch them on the
+            back of his hand. Two tumbled off, and Dot laughed. The
+            boy laughed, too, and tried it again. Before long they
+            had become fast friends, and were laughing and chatting
+            together as happily as if they had known one another
+            for months.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/21.jpg" alt="Dot and Tot">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot's mother, hearing their voices, came to the door of
+            her cottage; but seeing her boy's new playmate was "the
+            young lady at the mansion," she smiled and returned to
+            her work.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Presently Dot jumped up.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Come, Tot," she cried, "let us go where your father is
+            working. I saw him weeding one of the flower beds this
+            morning."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot scrambled to his feet and poured the white pebbles
+            from his hat, after which he placed it upon the back of
+            his head; so far back, indeed, that Dot wondered why it
+            did not tumble off.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We'll go see Papa Tompum," he said, trotting along
+            beside his new friend.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/22.jpg" alt="Tot">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Thompson, the gardener, was quite surprised to see his
+            little boy holding fast to the hand of the rich
+            banker's daughter, and chatting away as frankly as if
+            he had known her for years; but Thompson had learned by
+            this time that Dot ruled everyone about the place and
+            did exactly as she pleased, so he made no protest. As
+            he watched the children running about the grounds where
+            Tot was usually forbidden to play, Thompson felt proud
+            that his boy had been selected by "the young lady" for
+            so high and honorable a position as her playmate.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            He made no protest when they raced across a flower bed
+            and left the prints of their small feet upon the soft
+            earth, for Dot held Tot firmly by the hand, and he
+            obediently followed wherever she led. The big red roses
+            attracted her fancy, and she ruthlessly plucked a
+            handful and stuck them in rows around the rim of Tot's
+            hat as well as her own, although the poor gardener, who
+            had tended these flowers so patiently that they had
+            become precious in his eyes, actually winced and
+            shivered with dismay at witnessing the careless and, to
+            him, cruel manner in which the young mistress of the
+            house destroyed them. But Dot knew they were her
+            property and enjoyed the roses in her own way; while
+            Tot, although he may have felt guilty, wisely shifted
+            all responsibility to his companion, and admired the
+            royal way in which she accepted everything about the
+            place as her very own.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/23.jpg" alt="Dot">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            When the luncheon gong sounded from the big house, and
+            Dot left Tot to obey the summons, she said to him,
+            "Tomorrow I will bring a basket of sandwiches and cake,
+            and we'll have a picnic down by the river bank."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/24.jpg" alt="Tot">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "All right!" answered Tot, and trotted away toward his
+            father's cottage.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            It had been an eventful day to him, for he had found a
+            delightful playmate.
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="3"><img src="images/25a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Three&mdash;The Boat"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/25b.jpg" alt="E" align="left">arly
+            next morning Dot came out of the house with a basket on
+            her arm so big and heavy she could hardly carry it.
+            Indeed, she stopped several times between the house and
+            the gap in the big hedge to set the basket down while
+            she rested. Once she was sorely tempted to chase a
+            pretty butterfly that fluttered lazily over the lawn
+            near by; but a glance at the basket and a thought of
+            Tot recalled her to the fact that this was "a picnic
+            day," and so she trudged steadily on and passed through
+            the hedge.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot was sitting on the door-step waiting for her. He
+            wore a clean sailor waist and blue brownie overalls,
+            and his face and hands had been freshly washed for the
+            important occasion.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            When he saw Dot's basket his eyes grew big and round,
+            and he asked, "What you got?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, that's our lunch," said the girl, setting down her
+            burden with a sigh of relief.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What's lunch?" demanded Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why&mdash;something to eat, you know," she answered.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh," said Tot. Then he looked at the basket with new
+            interest and asked, "Basket all full somefin' t'eat?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes," replied Dot, with some pride. "I begged cook to
+            give me all the good things she had in the pantry,
+            'cause you and I are going to have a picnic, and eat
+            our lunch down by the river. So she filled it way up to
+            the top, 'cause cook always does anything I ask. And
+            it's a great big basket, Tot, too."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes," answered Tot, gravely, "big basket!" Then he
+            jumped up and, all eagerness, approached the basket.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Let's eat it!" he exclaimed.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, no," cried Dot reprovingly. "It isn't time for
+            lunch yet. And I've just had my breakfast. But we'll go
+            down to the river and start the picnic right away. And,
+            if you're good, Tot, perhaps I'll give you just one
+            piece of jelly-cake before lunch time."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot's mother came out and kissed her boy good-bye, and
+            then he and Dot took hold of the handle of the big
+            basket and started for the river.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Of course, it took them a long time to get there, for
+            often they set down the basket to pick flowers or watch
+            a robin redbreast carrying food to its nest full of
+            babies, or to run over the soft, close-cropped grass
+            and chase each other, in very joyful and good spirits.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            But they always returned to the basket, and at last
+            carried it down to the water's edge, where they placed
+            it upon a large, flat stone.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That will be our table, when it's time for lunch,"
+            said Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Time now," remarked Tot, wistfully.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Not yet," said the girl, "but you shall have the
+            jelly-cake, 'cause there's plenty to last all day."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/28.jpg" alt="A bird" align="left">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So she drew aside the white cloth that covered the
+            basket and took out two big slices of cake, one for Tot
+            and one for herself. While they ate it, they walked
+            along the shore. The river was entirely deserted by
+            boats, for it was a warm day and even the fisher folk
+            did not care to be out. On the opposite shore were
+            great walls of rock rising up from the river, but at
+            the foot of the cliffs were bushy trees that lined the
+            further edge of the water.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Just like whiskers," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "So they are, from here," agreed Dot; "but if we were
+            on the other side of the river we would find them to be
+            big trees. It's because they are so far away that they
+            look like the river's whiskers."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They walked farther along the shore until they were
+            past the grounds of Roselawn, and then, turning a
+            little bend in the river, they came to some low bushes
+            growing down by the water.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, Tot," cried the girl, "wouldn't it be nice to
+            lunch under those trees, where it is cool and shady?
+            Let us go back and fetch the basket."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot followed obediently, for he recognized Dot as the
+            leader not only because she was older, but because she
+            possessed the wonderful basket of good things. They
+            walked back to the big stone where they had left the
+            basket, and after a good deal of labor managed to carry
+            it to the grove of low trees. Pushing the branches
+            aside, they crept through the bushes until they reached
+            the edge of the river, and then Dot uttered an
+            exclamation of delight.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Here's a boat!" she said. "And a pretty boat, too. I
+            wonder whom it belongs to. But never mind, there's no
+            one here; so we will climb into it and eat our luncheon
+            on the seats."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            It really was a pretty boat, painted all white, except
+            for a red stripe running along the outer edge. There
+            was a broad seat at each end and two seats in the
+            middle, and in the bottom of the boat, under the seats,
+            were two oars.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            One end of the boat was drawn up on the shore, while
+            the rest of it lay quietly upon the water; but the
+            branches of the trees threw a cool shade over all, and
+            it seemed to Dot and Tot the most pleasant place to eat
+            their luncheon.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They carried the basket to the broad seat farthest out
+            in the water, and Dot spread her white cloth over it,
+            and laid upon that all the good things cook had put
+            into her basket.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Let's play house," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Not house," corrected Dot; "we'll play this is a ship,
+            and we're on a trip across the ocean. Won't it be
+            jolly?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Sitting upon the bottom of the boat, close to the seat
+            which formed their table, they laughed and talked and
+            ate their luncheon with the keen appetites all healthy
+            children have.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The time passed so quickly they never knew how long
+            they sat there; but suddenly Tot exclaimed, "It's hot!"
+            and put on his hat to keep the sun from his head.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot looked up, surprised to find that the sun was
+            indeed shining full upon them. Then she noticed that
+            the shade of the trees was gone and only the blue of
+            the sky was over the boat.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She stood up and gave a little cry of dismay.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We're in the river, Tot," she said; "the boat has got
+            away!"
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/30.jpg" alt="Dot and Tot in the boat">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="4"><img src="images/31a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Four&mdash;Under the Cliffs"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/31b.jpg" alt="T" align="left">ot
+            scrambled to his feet and sat upon a seat of the boat,
+            holding fast to the sides with both hands. As he looked
+            around and saw the boat was far from land, he smiled
+            and nodded his head, saying, "Now we'll play ship, an'
+            ride on 'e ocean. Won't we, Dot F'eelun'?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, Tot!" exclaimed the little girl; "I'm afraid we'll
+            be drowned. How can we ever get home again?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Ride in 'e boat," said Tot, composedly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But the boat is carrying us farther away every minute.
+            We're floating downstream; and by-and-by we'll come to
+            the ocean, where there are big waves," declared Dot,
+            who was really frightened.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            But Tot refused to be afraid. As the swift current
+            carried them along, he clapped his hands together
+            joyfully and gave a little laugh of delight. "Nice
+            ride!" he said again and again. "Hooray!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot was older and wiser. She knew a boat could be rowed
+            by means of oars, and there were two oars lying on the
+            bottom of the boat. She decided to make an attempt to
+            reach the shore, for then someone might be found to
+            help them back to Roselawn, which they had now left far
+            behind.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She drew out one of the oars and with difficulty, for
+            it was heavy for the child to handle, managed to push
+            one end into the water and rest the other against the
+            row-lock of the boat. Then she began to row as hard as
+            she could; but her strength was not great, and all she
+            did was to push the front of the boat half around, so
+            that it headed toward the rocky cliffs on the far side
+            of the river.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Her efforts pleased Tot, who laughed merrily as the oar
+            splashed in the water; but Dot was determined to get to
+            land if possible and struggled desperately at her task.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boat was still headed toward the rocky cliffs, when
+            suddenly the oar flew out of Dot's hands and she fell
+            backward off the seat.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She was not hurt, but when she got up she saw the oar
+            floating in the water, out of her reach; still she was
+            reassured to notice that the boat was now gliding
+            swiftly along, and presently, to her joy, she saw it
+            was headed directly toward the fringe of trees, and
+            getting nearer to the bank every moment.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It must be another current, Tot," she cried, "and this
+            one is taking us to the shore. So I did some good by
+            rowing, even if I lost the oar."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot nodded, but said nothing. He was still enjoying the
+            novel boat ride. Dot sat down on the seat beside him,
+            and they watched the shore grow nearer and more
+            distinct every moment as the boat glided steadily on.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The trees were bigger than they had thought, and grew
+            close down to the water's edge. Dot became worried when
+            she noticed the speed of the boat increasing as they
+            drew nearer to the shore.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "If we bump those trees," she said, "we may be hurt,
+            and the branches will scratch our faces dreadfully."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot stopped smiling when he heard this, and took hold
+            of Dot's hand, which he clasped tightly in his own.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The next moment, still speeding onward, the boat
+            reached the trees. The two children were caught by the
+            branches, swept quickly from the seat, and sent
+            sprawling at the bottom of the boat. But the boat
+            itself never stopped an instant. There was just room
+            for it to float underneath the thick branches, and
+            instead of bumping into the shore, the water carried it
+            through a small opening in the face of the rocky cliff,
+            and then, in total darkness, it continued swiftly on
+            its way!
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/34.jpg" alt="Dot and Tot on teh boat">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot and Tot, who were both startled by this unexpected
+            danger, managed to get up and sit together upon the
+            seat of the boat; but they could see nothing before
+            them and only a faint light behind, where they had
+            entered this hidden tunnel in the cliff.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            For some moments they sat in silence. Then Dot reached
+            out her hand to see if she could feel anything; but the
+            cool, damp air was all around them. Then she reached
+            upward, and her hand struck against a piece of
+            projecting rock which hurt her.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Tot," she whispered, "I think we'd better lie down in
+            the bottom of the boat. The roof isn't very high up,
+            and it may bump our heads if we sit here."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot slipped off the seat at once and stretched himself
+            out on the boards underneath. Dot quickly followed him,
+            and then for a time they lay very still in the
+            darkness, listening to the water as it rippled softly
+            along the sides of the boat.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Presently the girl asked, "Are you frightened, Tot?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Not, much," was the hesitating answer; and then, after
+            a long pause, he added, "but some."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, I'm some frightened myself," said Dot. "But I
+            don't know what we can do."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I know," declared Tot, solemnly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What?" she inquired, in an anxious voice.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Nuthin'."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot saw no need of replying to this, and another long
+            period of silence followed.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They did not seem to be in any immediate danger, for
+            the boat swept along with a free, easy motion that was
+            very pleasant, and the air was delightfully cool after
+            the heat of the sun outside in the open river.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            But two things worried Dot. One was the fact that she
+            was being carried a long ways from home, and the other
+            a fear of where the underground river might lead them.
+            She wasn't at all sure they were not floating down into
+            the middle of the earth, and the chances of ever seeing
+            Roselawn again were growing smaller every minute.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Nothing seemed to worry Tot, however. The darkness and
+            the murmuring of the water made him drowsy, and before
+            long he was fast asleep, with his chubby little arms
+            clasped around Dot's neck.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The girl was also gradually recovering from her fright,
+            since nothing terrible seemed to happen. They were
+            having a long journey under the cliffs; but she knew
+            there must come an end to it some time, and probably
+            they would float out of the dark tunnel into the
+            daylight sooner or later.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            On and on sped the little boat, until at last, as Dot
+            lay staring into the darkness, she noticed a dim light
+            about her, and began to see the rocky roof of the
+            cavern through which they were passing.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then she sat up, and, far away in the distance, she saw
+            a round, bright spot that reminded her of a full moon.
+            It seemed to be getting nearer and bigger, and finally
+            she gave a cry of joy and awakened her companion.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/37.jpg" alt=
+            "A round spot in the distance">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Tot! Oh, Tot!" she called. "We've got to the end at
+            last and are coming out of the tunnel!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot sat up and rubbed his eyes. He gave one careless
+            glance at the opening, and then turned his eyes upon
+            the lunch basket, saying, sleepily, "I'm hungry!"
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/38.jpg" alt=
+            "Tot eyes the lunch basket">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="5"><img src="images/39a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Five&mdash;The Watch-Dog of Merryland"></a><br>
+
+            <img src="images/39b.jpg" alt="O" align="left">f
+            course, Dot paid no attention, during this exciting
+            moment, to the boy's demand for food.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            There would be plenty of time to eat after they were
+            out of the tunnel and in safety.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boat glided on as gracefully as a swan, and in a
+            few minutes it passed through the jagged rocks that
+            formed the mouth of the tunnel and floated into a
+            broad, open river.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot and Tot quickly scrambled upon the seat and looked
+            around them.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They were in a deep valley, shaped very much like a
+            chopping bowl, only around the outer edge were high,
+            peaked mountains. Not a tree nor a green thing was to
+            be seen anywhere, but the valley was thickly covered
+            with stones&mdash;big stones and little stones and
+            stones of all sizes&mdash;scattered about in every
+            direction.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Through the center of the valley ran the broad, blue
+            river, at one end of which was now the boat, while at
+            the other end the children saw a low archway, through
+            which the water seemed to pass into some country
+            beyond.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Very slowly the boat was floating toward this archway,
+            and Dot decided there would be ample time to eat
+            something from the basket before they had passed
+            through the valley of stones.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We may as well go on, Tot," she said, as she arranged
+            the luncheon; "for this isn't a pleasant place to stop
+            in, and we should never be able to climb over those
+            high mountains."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Never could," agreed Tot, as he bit into a sandwich.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What a queer place this is," she continued, looking
+            around them. "I don't believe anyone has ever been here
+            before. Let us give it a name. That's what all
+            explorers do. We'll call it Stony Vale."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "All right," said Tot, contentedly. Then he stretched
+            out his arm and pointed to something that was moving
+            among the stones.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "See!" he said. "Funny man."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/41.jpg" border="1" alt="The funny man"
+            align="right">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why, I really believe it is, Tot!" exclaimed the girl,
+            looking toward the place. "No, it isn't a man; it's a
+            bear."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Bear!" repeated Tot, with wide open eyes. "Funny
+            bear!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Halfway up the valley they saw a shaggy-looking
+            creature sitting upon a rock. It seemed to have the
+            form of a man, as Tot had first declared; but it was
+            covered with long, thick hair, which made Dot decide it
+            must be a bear.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Whatever it was, the creature was surely alive, and it
+            had also seen the boat, for the next moment it rose
+            from the rock and came bounding down to the shore of
+            the river, leaping from stone to stone, and moving so
+            swiftly that its long hair streamed out behind it in
+            the wind.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boat was now being carried by the current directly
+            toward the shore, and soon its front end touched softly
+            upon the gravelly beach. At the same time the strange
+            creature drew closer to them and sat down upon a big
+            stone only a few feet away.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot and Tot had been watching it, and now saw that what
+            they had taken for a bear was an old man, with whiskers
+            and hair so long that they reached down to the soles of
+            his feet, and probably would have grown still longer
+            had not the rough stones worn away the ends of the
+            hair. Not a bit of his body could be seen; the flowing
+            white hair covered him everywhere like a gown, except
+            upon the top of his head, which was smooth and bald. So
+            thick, indeed, was the covering that when he stretched
+            out his arms, the old man could only push his hands and
+            wrists through the masses of hair.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The curious appearance of this strange person surprised
+            the children, and they remained for some time staring
+            at him without trying to say a word.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The hairy man looked at them, in return with equal
+            interest, and was the first to speak, saying in a mild,
+            sad voice:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Strangers, who are you?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'm Dot, sir," answered the girl. "Dot Freeland."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "She's Dot F'eelun'," repeated Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "And this is my friend, Tot Thompson," she continued.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'm Tot Tompum," said Tot gravely.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh," replied the man. "I'm pleased to make your
+            acquaintance. I'm the Watch-Dog of Merryland."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What a queer name!" exclaimed Dot. "Why do they call
+            you that?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Because I'm placed here to keep everyone from passing
+            through the archway that spans the river into the fair
+            and happy valleys of Merryland."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "How can you keep them from passing through?" asked the
+            girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why, tell them they mustn't, of course."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/43.jpg" alt=
+            "Talking with the Watch-Dog of Merryland" border="1">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But suppose they won't mind you, what will you do
+            then?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The old man looked puzzled, and shook his head slowly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'm sure I don't know what I could do in that case,"
+            he answered. "You see, no one has ever before come here
+            since I was commanded to guard the entrance to
+            Merryland."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "How long have you been here?" inquired Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "About three hundred years, I think; but I've lost
+            track of the exact time."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Don't you ever die?" asked Tot wondering at this great
+            age.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I haven't died yet," answered the old man,
+            thoughtfully.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But you will, won't you?" persisted the boy.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why, I suppose so, if the Queen lets me," was the
+            reply.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Who is the Queen?" questioned Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "She who rules Merryland," answered the man.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then, for a few moments, there was silence, while Dot
+            and Tot stared at the hairy old man and he stared at
+            them.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Presently Dot broke the silence the stillness by
+            asking, "What do you do in this lonesome place, where
+            you have no one to talk to?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why, most of the time I watch, as it is my duty to do.
+            And when I get lonely, I count my whiskers."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh!" said Dot. Then she inquired, curiously, "How many
+            whiskers have you?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well," answered the Watch-Dog of Merryland,
+            confidentially, "there are either eighty-seven thousand
+            four hundred and twenty-six, or else eighty-seven
+            thousand four hundred and twenty-eight. Sometimes I
+            make it one figure and sometimes the other, so I can't
+            really tell which is right. I was engaged in counting
+            my whiskers when I looked up and saw your boat. I had
+            then counted sixty-nine thousand three hundred and
+            fifty-four; but I was so surprised to see you that I
+            missed the count, and now I shall have to begin all
+            over again."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/45.jpg" align="right" alt=
+            "Counting his whiskers">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'm sorry," said Dot, sympathetically; "I'd like to
+            know just which is the right number."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "If you will wait I'll count them," he replied,
+            eagerly. "Perhaps then you can tell if I make a
+            mistake."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "How long will it take?" she asked.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I can do it in about four months."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, we couldn't possibly wait that long," declared the
+            girl. "I really think we should be going now."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Where will you go?" he asked.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "There is only one way for us to go&mdash;through that
+            archway into Merryland, as you call it. We are not
+            strong enough to pull the boat upstream, so we must let
+            it float where it will."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It will be a terrible disgrace to me," said the
+            Watch-Dog of Merryland, in a solemn voice, "if you
+            escape me. What will the Queen say when she knows I
+            have watched here three hundred years without seeing
+            anyone, and then allowed the first strangers who came
+            along to pass through the archway?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I do not see that she can blame you," returned Dot.
+            "You say yourself you would be unable to stop us if we
+            decided not to mind you. So the Queen can only blame us
+            for not minding you."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That is true," said the old man, more cheerfully.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Want somethin' t'eat?" inquired Tot, holding out a
+            slice of jellycake.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Dear me!" said the Watch-Dog, taking the cake in his
+            hand and looking at it with much curiosity. "What is
+            it?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Eat it," said Tot; "it's good."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But I can't eat," replied the old man. "I don't know
+            how. I've never eaten anything in my life."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Not even when you were a little boy?" Tot asked, in
+            wonder.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well, I've forgotten what happened when I was a little
+            boy, it's so long ago," returned the man. "But I
+            certainly have no desire to eat now, and if I had there
+            is nothing in the Valley to devour except stones. I
+            suppose eating is a habit you have acquired. Why don't
+            you break yourself of it?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I get hungry," answered Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Hunger must be a habit, too," remarked the old man,
+            "for I never have had it since I have been in this
+            valley. However, if you will allow me to keep the cake,
+            I will amuse myself by looking at it when I'm tired of
+            counting my whiskers."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You are quite welcome to the cake," said Dot. "But now
+            I must ask you to excuse us, for it is time we started
+            upon our journey."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, don't let me detain you," replied the Watch-dog of
+            Merryland, politely; "that is, if you are determined to
+            disobey my orders."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I fear we must," said the girl. "Is Merryland the
+            other side of that archway?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Part of it is," answered the old man. "There are Seven
+            Valleys in Merryland, connected by archways, for the
+            river flows through them all."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "And what is beyond the Seventh Valley?" asked Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No one knows except those who pass through, and those
+            who pass through never return to tell," he replied.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well, good-bye," said Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Bye!" repeated Tot, briefly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Good-bye," answered the Watch-Dog.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/47.jpg" alt="Saying goodbye">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The girl took the remaining oar and pushed the boat
+            away from the shore with it. The little craft glided
+            out into the river very slowly, and drifted along with
+            the current in the direction of the archway.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot and Tot sat on the seat and watched the friendly
+            old man until a shadow fell upon them, and called their
+            attention to the fact that they were passing through
+            the arch into the First Valley of Merryland.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <br>
+            <br>
+            <br>
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/50.jpg" alt="A clown">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="6"><img src="images/51a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Six&mdash;The First Valley"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/51b.jpg" alt="T" align="left">he rocky
+            arch was not very thick, yet before Dot and Tot had
+            floated to the other side of it, shouts of merry
+            laughter and the chattering of many voices came to
+            their ears. Some of the voices sounded loud and shrill,
+            others low and deep, but all rang with a happy tone
+            that aroused the children's interest at once, and made
+            them wonder what occasion could cause so much
+            amusement.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then, so suddenly that it quite startled the childish
+            voyagers, the boat glided from the archway into the
+            most beautiful country one could imagine.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            It was a Valley, as the Watch-Dog had said; but it was
+            level and sunny and dotted with broad-leaved trees;
+            while soft, tender grasses, mingled with brilliant
+            flowers, covered the ground in every direction. There
+            seemed to be no houses at all, yet streets were laid
+            out in regular order, having at their sides raised
+            platforms in place of houses. Each of the platforms was
+            four feet high and fifteen feet square on the top, and
+            they were separated from one another by stretches of
+            the flower-strewn lawn. The top and sides of every
+            platform were padded like the mattresses of a bed, and
+            were covered with silks and velvets of the most
+            gorgeous patterns, no two being of the same
+            combinations of colors.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            On many of these raised and padded platforms, Dot and
+            Tot saw groups of funny-looking Clowns, all dressed in
+            wide, baggy trousers, puffy jackets and soft, pointed
+            caps. Yet in their costumes was an endless variety of
+            colorings and combinations of colors, making the groups
+            look remarkably bright and pleasing.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The faces of the Clowns were painted in a fanciful way,
+            with rings of red and blue and yellow on their cheeks,
+            and spots and streaks of the same gorgeous colors over
+            their eyes and around their chins.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            When the children first came into the Valley of the
+            Clowns, they saw many of them leaping and tumbling and
+            turning somersaults upon the platforms, while others
+            were juggling with balls, or balancing long feathers
+            and sticks upon their noses and chins. These feats were
+            greeted with shouts of laughter by other Clowns who
+            were resting and looking on, and these spectators also
+            cried out their approval or poked fun at the performers
+            when they failed to accomplish the acts they were
+            attempting.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            While Dot and Tot sat in their boat, looking with
+            amazement at the strange sights all about them, one of
+            the Clowns chanced to look their way, and upon seeing
+            the children, he set up a shout and rushed down to the
+            shore, followed by more than a hundred of his fellows.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/53.jpg" alt="The clowns come running">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            As they ran, the Clowns leaped over one another, turned
+            somersaults into the air, and walked upon their hands
+            nearly as fast as they could upon their feet; and so
+            swift were all their movements that, in less time than
+            one could think possible, they were all crowded along
+            the river bank, and shouting loud greetings to the new
+            arrivals.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot had to put her fingers in her ears at first, for
+            the noise bewildered her, and while she wondered what
+            she should say to these lively creatures, she noticed a
+            richly dressed Clown standing before the others, and
+            making low bows to her and to Tot. As his lips seemed
+            to move, she took away her fingers from her ears that
+            she might hear what he was saying.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Everyone was talking at the same time, and at first Dot
+            could hear nothing plainly; but the Clown who was
+            standing in front of his comrades clapped his hands
+            loudly together three times, at which the others
+            instantly became silent and motionless.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then, with another bow, the leader addressed her,
+            speaking in a sweet and most pleasing tone of voice,
+            "Welcome, O King and Queen of Children, to the Valley
+            of Clowns! We live but for your amusement; we love your
+            happy and smiling faces more than anything else in the
+            world, and this day on which you have come to visit
+            your slaves is the most joyful we have ever known."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/55.jpg" alt="The clown bows" align=
+            "right">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Here he made another bow and threw his pointed cap high
+            into the air, where it whirled over and over and
+            finally fell straight upon his head again. There was a
+            shout of applause at this feat, and Tot laughed loudly
+            and clapped his hands.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then the leader of the Clowns again spoke, "If you will
+            graciously consent to land in our country, where
+            everything we have is at your service, we shall be
+            delighted to amuse you to the best of our ability."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You are very kind," answered Dot, "and as we are tired
+            by sitting in the boat so long, we shall be glad to
+            accept your invitation."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then she pushed the boat to the shore, where a dozen
+            Clowns seized it and drew it far up on the grassy bank.
+            Then Dot and Tot stepped out upon land, and as they did
+            so every Clown present turned a backward somersault and
+            shouted, "Here we are again!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The one who had first spoken to them now came forward
+            and shook hands with both Dot and Tot in a very polite
+            manner.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "My name is Flippityflop," he said, "and I am the
+            Prince of Clowns, ruling here under the gracious favor
+            of her Majesty the Queen of Merryland. I beg you will
+            allow me to escort you to my dwelling; but first I
+            should like to know your names, and how you came here."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'm Tot Tompum," said the boy, looking up into the
+            Clown's painted face, "and here's Dot F'eelun. We've
+            come in a boat, long, long ways off. An' we don't know
+            how to get home again."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We are delighted to have you with us, however you came
+            here," replied the Clown; "and as for your getting home
+            again, why, that is worry, and no one ever worries in
+            the Valley of Clowns. You are welcome to remain our
+            guests as long as you please, and while you are with us
+            you must consider us your slaves, for Clowns have
+            always been the slaves of children." Then he turned to
+            the others.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Brothers!" he shouted. "Allow me to introduce you to
+            our friends Dot and Tot, of the Big Round World. We are
+            all their slaves. Salute them!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Instantly every Clown stood upon his head and knocked
+            his heels together in the air. As they wore silver
+            bells around their ankles, this made a most delightful,
+            tinkling sound, and the sight of so many topsy-turvy
+            Clowns was so pretty that Dot and Tot both laughed and
+            clapped their hands.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then Flippityflop caught the children in his arms and
+            seated one of them upon each of his shoulders, after
+            which he marched up the street, followed by the rest of
+            the Clowns, who sang and danced as they came.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The Prince carried them to one of the prettiest
+            platforms and set them gently upon its cushioned top.
+            Then he leaped into the air, whirled around like a
+            windmill and landed gracefully beside them.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Welcome to my dwelling," he said.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But this isn't a dwelling," exclaimed Dot. "A dwelling
+            is a house."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "And this is a sofa!" declared Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, no; it's a real house," said Flippityflop,
+            "although it may be different from the dwellings you
+            are accustomed to. Let us enter."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            He seized a silken strap and opened a trap-door in the
+            top of the platform.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Come on!" he cried, and jumping down the hole,
+            disappeared from view.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/57.jpg" alt=
+            "The clown balances a feather">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot crept up to the trapdoor and looked down. Just
+            beneath her was Flippityflop, holding out his arms.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Come on!" he said again; "I'll catch you."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot did not hesitate, but dropped through the opening,
+            and the Prince caught her safely in his arms. Tot
+            followed a moment later, and then the children gazed
+            about them curiously.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/58.jpg" alt=
+            "Tot looks at the trapdoor">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="7"><img src="images/59a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Seven&mdash;The Clown Country"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/59b.jpg" alt="F" align=
+            "left">lippityflop's house proved to be one big room,
+            built under the platform, and lighted by a soft glow
+            from hidden electric lamps. The walls were covered with
+            bright-yellow silk hangings and on the floor was a
+            crimson carpet. All around the sides were wide benches
+            with soft cushions of purple velvet, and near the
+            middle of the room was a small table of blue and
+            silver. On the walls Dot noticed several gaudily
+            colored pictures of Clowns, and when Flippityflop saw
+            the children looking at these pictures he said:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Those are portraits of my father and grandfather and
+            great-grandfather. They were all Princes of this Valley
+            of Merryland, as well as good men and clever Clowns.
+            Therefore I am proud of them."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "They look very jolly," said Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "They were jolly, and proved a comfort to thousands of
+            children. But you must be hungry, and I trust you will
+            allow me to offer you some dinner. What will you have?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What you got?" inquired Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well, I have in my cupboard some fried goldfish,
+            boiled buttercups and pickled shoelaces," he answered.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Don't want any," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "These seem rather foolish things to eat," remarked
+            Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Of course, they are foolish things," agreed
+            Flippityflop, cheerfully. "Everything we do here is
+            foolish. You certainly can't expect wisdom in a country
+            of Clowns."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Course not," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "If you'll send to the boat for our basket, I think we
+            will prefer to eat the things we brought with us,"
+            declared Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Certainly!" answered the Prince, and immediately
+            sticking his head through the trapdoor, he asked a
+            Clown who stood outside to fetch the basket.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            It came in a remarkably short time, and then
+            Flippityflop assisted Dot to lay the cloth on the blue
+            and silver table, while the children proceeded to eat
+            of the sandwiches, cake and apple-tarts that remained
+            in the basket.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Wouldn't you like something to drink?" asked the
+            Prince.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I am rather thirsty," admitted Dot; "have you any
+            milk?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No, we do not use milk in this Valley," he answered.
+            "But we have some excellent green paint, or, if you
+            prefer it, I can give a bottle of red mucilage."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No, thank you," said Dot; "we couldn't drink those.
+            Perhaps you will bring us some fresh water from the
+            river."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/61.jpg" alt="An award" align="right">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But the water is quite wet," exclaimed the Clown, "and
+            is liable to make you damp. Surely you won't think of
+            drinking it!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, yes; we're accustomed to drinking water," said the
+            girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So the water was sent for, and Dot and Tot took long
+            and refreshing drinks, although their action alarmed
+            Flippityflop, who urged them to eat a few handfuls of
+            sawdust afterward to absorb the dampness.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Do all the Clowns live in this Valley?" asked the
+            girl, when the table was cleared.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, all except those we send into the world to amuse
+            the children," answered Flippityflop. "You see, we
+            train them all very carefully, and every year one is
+            selected to go into the world."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "How do they get there?" asked the child.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "At the upper edge of our Valley there is one place not
+            so steep as the rest. The Clown who is leaving us
+            climbs to this place and finds himself on the top of a
+            mountain. So he makes himself into a ball, as he has
+            been taught to do, and rolls down the mountain into the
+            outside world, where he travels around until he finds a
+            circus to join."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/62.jpg" alt=
+            "A clown is sent to a circus">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh!" exclaimed Dot. "I've seen 'em&mdash;in circuses."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "To be sure; that's the proper place for Clowns. Do
+            they make the children laugh?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Sometimes," said the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "When they do not," said Flippityflop, gravely, "they
+            are imitation Clowns, and were never trained in this
+            Valley of Merryland. The real Clowns are sure to make
+            you laugh. But come, it is time our people were
+            gathering on the platforms for their evening practice.
+            Would you like to watch them?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, indeed!" cried Dot, joyfully; and Tot clapped his
+            hands and echoed: "'Deed, yes!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So Flippityflop lifted them through the hole to the top
+            of the padded platform, where they saw a strange and
+            merry sight.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            All the platforms on both sides of the street were now
+            occupied by Clowns, who were performing in a most
+            marvelous manner. The trees were full of electric
+            lights, which shed brilliant rays over the scene and
+            enabled the children to see everything distinctly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Come with me," said their friend, "and I will lead you
+            through the street, that you may see what my brothers
+            are doing."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They left the Prince's platform and came to the next,
+            where three gaily dressed Clowns were bounding into the
+            air and whirling around before they came down again.
+            Every time they jumped they cried: "All right, Mr.
+            Johnson!" in their shrill voices, and often one of them
+            would fall on his head or back instead of landing on
+            his feet. When this happened they were not hurt, for
+            the platform was soft and yielding; so they sprang up
+            at once and tried it over again, laughing at their own
+            mishaps.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/64.jpg" alt="Electric lights">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            At the next platform were some juggling Clowns. One of
+            these placed a light ladder on his shoulders, and
+            another ran up it and stood upon his head on the top
+            rung.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            In another place the Clowns threw small silver balls
+            into the air, one after the other, and then caught them
+            cleverly as they came down.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Near the end of the street a Clown, dressed in a
+            costume of scarlet with green spots upon it, and
+            wearing a white, pointed cap upon his head, was singing
+            a comic song. They stopped to listen while he sang as
+            follows:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/65.jpg" alt="A clown sings" align=
+            "right">
+        </p>
+        <p class="poem">
+            <i>A goat to a barber went one day;<br>
+            "Just trim my beard," the goat did say,<br>
+            "And cut my hair in a stylish way"&mdash;<br>
+            Sing shivvy, shovvy, shavey!<br>
+            The barber then began to snip,<br>
+            But soon he let the scissors slip,<br>
+            And cut the goat upon his lip&mdash;<br>
+            Sing shivvy, shovvy, shavey!<br>
+            <br>
+            Then Mr. Goat, with angry bleat,<br>
+            Gave one big jump from out his seat,<br>
+            And knocked the barber off his feet&mdash;<br>
+            Sing shivvy, shovvy, shavey!<br>
+            "Enough!" he cried, "I'll have you know,<br>
+            If barbers treat their patrons so,<br>
+            I'll just allow my beard to grow!"<br>
+            Sing shivvy, shovvy, shavey!</i>
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            After each verse another Clown cracked a long whip at
+            the singer, which made him leap into the air and screw
+            his face up in such a comical way that Dot and Tot were
+            greatly amused, and applauded him rapturously.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Just across the street was another singing Clown; but
+            this one was dressed in a curious costume that was all
+            white on one side of his body and all red on the other
+            side. This fellow balanced the point of his cap upon
+            the end of his nose, and then, making a bow, sang the
+            following song:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/66.jpg" alt="A clown sings" align=
+            "left">
+        </p>
+        <p class="poem">
+            <i>Little Tommy Harris<br>
+            Made a trip to Paris.<br>
+            There he went within a tent,<br>
+            Saw a convex firmament;<br>
+            Then he peered within a booth,<br>
+            Saw a shark without a tooth,<br>
+            Heard a dumb man sing and chant,<br>
+            Saw a crimson elephant.<br>
+            Next he walked into a street,<br>
+            Saw a lamp-post drink and eat,<br>
+            Heard a turtle loudly roar,<br>
+            Saw a rainbow through a door.<br>
+            Then a man without a leg<br>
+            Danced upon a horse's egg.<br>
+            Then a steeple on a dome<br>
+            Cried, "My boy, you'd best go home."<br>
+            But as Tommy homeward sped,<br>
+            He awoke&mdash;and was in bed!<br>
+            Little Tommy Harris<br>
+            Never went to Paris!<br></i>
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            This singer had so droll an expression on his face that
+            Tot yelled with rapture, and Dot found herself laughing
+            heartily. Indeed, the whole performance was a delight
+            to the children, and they were sorry when a bell rang
+            and put a stop to the antics of the Clowns.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            At once the they all dived into the trapdoors of their
+            platforms, and Flippityflop said they had gone to bed
+            and would not appear until the next morning.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The children were somewhat tired by the adventures of
+            the day, so when Flippityflop helped them to gain the
+            room under his platform, they crept to the
+            soft-cushioned benches that lined the walls and lay
+            down. In less than a minute Dot and Tot were fast
+            asleep, curled up side by side, with their arms
+            entwined.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Next morning they were awakened by the strains of sweet
+            music. Dot at once sat up and asked, "What is that?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That is my alarm clock," answered Flippityflop, who
+            had been reclining upon a bench at the other side of
+            the room. "It tells me when it is time to get up."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It's a queer alarm clock," said the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But a very good one," returned the Clown. "It is
+            really a big music-box under the bench, which starts
+            playing every morning at seven o'clock. So, instead of
+            being awakened by a rattling and clanging of bells,
+            such as most alarm clocks make, I open my eyes with a
+            sensation of pleasure, and get up feeling jolly and
+            content.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I think it's a lovely clock," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Won't you join me at breakfast?" asked the prince.
+            "I'm going to have a dish of scrambled egg-shells and a
+            few fried buttons. The eggshells make our complexion
+            white and chalky, and we are very fond of them."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I prefer to eat something from our basket," replied the
+            girl. "But Tot may eat the egg-shells and buttons, if
+            he wants them."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Don't want 'em!" cried Tot. "Want bread and butter."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well, I declare!" said the Clown. "What peculiar
+            tastes you children have!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            But he allowed them to breakfast from their own stock
+            of food, and when the meal was finished Dot said, "We
+            must be going now; but first I wish to thank you for
+            the pleasant time we have had in your Valley. We
+            enjoyed the Clowns very much indeed."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Nice Clowns," declared Tot, with emphasis.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'm sorry to have you go," said Flippityflop, "but I
+            suppose you cannot stay here always, especially as you
+            are going to visit our Queen."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then he carried the big basket down to the boat for
+            them, and all the Clowns came to the river bank in a
+            long procession, to bid them good-bye.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            After they were seated in the boat and had begun to
+            float out into the river again, the Clowns started
+            singing a comic song, in one big chorus, as a farewell
+            entertainment.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot and Tot laughed and waved their handkerchiefs at
+            the jolly fellows until the archway leading into the
+            next Valley was reached, and as the shadow of the rocks
+            fell upon them and shut out their view of the First
+            Valley of Merryland, they sighed and turned wonderingly
+            to face whatever adventures might lie before them.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/69.jpg" alt="Tot">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/70.jpg" alt=
+            "The clown chorus sings farewell.">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="8"><img src="images/71a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Eight&mdash;The Second Valley"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/71b.jpg" alt="G" align="left">liding
+            out of the archway into the Second Valley of Merryland,
+            our little voyagers saw before them a big enclosure
+            shaped like a diamond. Along two sides of this diamond
+            the river ran very slowly, and upon the bank at their
+            left rose a huge, straight wall of solid rock, that
+            seemed, as they looked up, to reach to the clouds.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/71c.jpg" align="right" alt=
+            "Powdered sugar">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Upon the bank at their right hand, however, was a
+            broad, flat country, which seemed at first sight to
+            resemble any other beautiful valley, having trees and
+            meadow, roads and fences, and a few pretty houses
+            clustered near the river bank.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            But on looking closer, Dot and Tot saw that all the
+            trees had smooth trunks, with bright colors twisted
+            around them like sticks of candy. The branches, though
+            smaller than the trunks, had the same stick-candy
+            appearance; while the leaves, which were of various
+            colors, looked soft and thick, as if they were made of
+            candy, too.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The houses were many-colored, being pink and brown and
+            white and lavender, and the walls of all of them were
+            as smooth as taffy. One big house, that was built
+            exactly at the bend in the river, seemed to Dot to be
+            made entirely of molasses candy, for it had the same
+            color and appearance.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The trees and houses and fences were all smaller than
+            one usually sees, but the brilliant colors made them
+            look very pretty indeed.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boat floated slowly toward the bend in the stream,
+            and finally came close to the bank in front of the big
+            molasses-candy house, where it stopped. Dot stepped out
+            upon the bank and fastened the boat, and then Tot
+            jumped out beside her. There was a little path, brown
+            in color and rather rough, that led past the house and
+            down to the river where they stood, and as Tot jumped
+            upon this path he stubbed his toe and fell down. Then
+            Dot saw him pick up a piece of the brown path that had
+            become loosened, and after looking at it a moment put
+            it into his mouth.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Don't do that, Tot!" called the girl, in horror. "You
+            mustn't eat mud."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "T'ain't mud," said Tot, with his mouth full. "It's
+            fudge."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Fudge!" echoed Dot. "You must be crazy, Tot." But she
+            tasted a small piece herself and found that Tot was
+            right. It was very nice fudge, too.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Just then as Dot was looking curiously toward the
+            house, she saw the door open and a little man come out,
+            followed the next moment by a little woman. They were
+            not only very little, but short and very fat. The man
+            wore a tall hat, a swallow-tail coat and tight
+            breeches; but all his garments seemed fastened to him
+            in some way, as if they were not made to come off, and
+            their bright colors looked to have been painted on. The
+            woman's dress had the same appearance, and the big
+            Shaker bonnet she wore seemed really a part of her
+            head.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/73.jpg" alt="Tot" align="right">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            When these people saw Dot and Tot, they stopped short
+            and looked at each other in surprise; but the man
+            seemed soon to recover himself and walked quickly
+            toward the children, swinging a candy cane in his hand
+            as he came.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Good morning, my dears," he said, pleasantly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Good morning," answered Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Mornin'," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Will you kindly tell us how you came here?" continued
+            the fat little man. "You must excuse my curiosity, but
+            I cannot remember ever having seen any real children
+            before."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Our boat brought us," said Dot. "We're drifting down
+            the river and have to go wherever it takes us."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, I see," said the man. "Well, since you are here,
+            permit me to welcome you to the Valley of Bonbons," and
+            he reached out his hand, with a graceful bow, to the
+            little girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot shook hands with him, of course; but it made her
+            shiver a little, the hand felt so soft and flabby; and
+            when she withdrew her own hand she noticed upon it a
+            fine white powder like flour. This she brushed off, but
+            the little man laughed and said. "It's only powdered
+            sugar, my dear. I'm obliged to keep myself covered with
+            it, you know, so I won't stick to things."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But&mdash;but I don't understand," stammered the girl.
+            "Aren't you made like other people?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Certainly; I am made like everyone I have ever seen
+            until I met you and this little boy. It strikes me you
+            are the ones who are queerly made. You don't seem to be
+            candy at all."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh no!" said Dot, in a matter-of-fact way. "We're just
+            flesh and blood and bones."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "And clothes," added Tot, who was looking with greedy
+            eyes at the strange little man.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well, well!" said the man, thoughtfully tapping the
+            ground with his cane; "what strange creatures you must
+            be. In this Valley everyone is made of candy."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "And everything else is candy," exclaimed the little
+            woman, who was peering over the man's shoulder and had
+            not spoken before.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh yes; everything we know of is candy except the
+            river," continued the man.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Are you candy?" asked Tot, with wide open eyes.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "To be sure. My bones are all made of stick candy and
+            my flesh is marshmallow. That is why I must keep myself
+            covered with powdered sugar; otherwise I would melt or
+            stick to everything I touched. My wife is made in the
+            same way, and we are very proud to know we are very
+            pure and wholesome."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What do you eat?" asked Tot, curiously.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We eat candy, of course; that is what makes us so fat.
+            Candy is very fattening, you know," said the little man
+            cheerfully.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But you haven't any teeth," remarked Dot, who had
+            noticed this fact.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Teeth! Certainly not. No one can eat much candy and
+            still have teeth. Haven't you heard that candy always
+            destroys a person's teeth?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I've been told so," replied Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But we get along very nicely without them. Indeed, our
+            lives are decidedly sweet and peaceful."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Just then they heard a shrill scream, and at once the
+            woman rushed toward the house, running in a very
+            comical manner because she was so short and fat.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That's the voice of our youngest child, the baby,"
+            explained the man. "I fear some accident has happened
+            to it. One of our greatest troubles is that we cannot
+            depend upon our colored servants, who are chocolate.
+            Chocolates can seldom be depended on, you know."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/76.jpg" alt="The baby crying" align=
+            "left">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I hope nothing serious has happened to your baby,"
+            said Dot, with ready sympathy.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Probably not," answered the candy man. "But I hope you
+            will now permit me to escort you to my house. You must
+            be hungry; and I will have luncheon served at once."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Thank you," said Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So, led by their fat little host, who waddled as he
+            walked in a way that made Tot laugh, they went to the
+            house and were ushered into the front parlor.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The room was beautifully furnished; but the chairs,
+            tables, pictures and ornaments were all composed of
+            candy of some sort, and there was a fragrant odor of
+            wintergreen, peppermint and rose about the room that
+            made Tot's mouth water in delightful anticipation. The
+            boy seated himself in a pretty pink and white chair,
+            and Dot sat down upon a small sofa; but happening to
+            remember the sofa was candy, she quickly arose and
+            remained standing, although she was also a little
+            afraid of the sticky floor, which seemed to be well
+            powdered.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Soon the woman entered the room and, having welcomed
+            them, she said, "Our colored nurse, Aunt Lowney, had
+            left the baby, little Huyler, out in the sun, and
+            before she noticed he was getting warm, his left hand
+            had all melted away. That was what made him cry."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, that is terrible!" cried Dot, clasping her hands
+            in horror at the sad accident. "What can you do for the
+            poor child?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I have sent Aunt Lowney into the marshmallow field to
+            get him some more fingers. We shall be able to patch
+            him up all right, I think, so do not let it distress
+            you. Accidents are always happening in our Valley. But
+            I will order luncheon served at once, for you must be
+            hungry after your journey."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She then left the room, but soon returned, followed by
+            two serving maids, with complexions so dark brown in
+            color that Dot was almost afraid of them.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "They are only chocolate, you know," whispered the man,
+            "and quite harmless when taken in moderation."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot hardly understood what he meant, but felt more at
+            ease after the explanation.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The maids brought many candy dishes to the table all
+            filled with delicious bonbons and sugar-plums of every
+            description. There were apples, pears, oranges and
+            grapes, berries and peaches, rose-leaves and violets;
+            but all were composed of candy and proved delightful
+            eating. For drink they had pink lemonade, served in
+            dainty candy cups.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "This pink lemonade," said the woman, "is one of the
+            features of our Valley, through which it flows in a
+            pretty stream. Sometimes we also drink the river water,
+            but not often, for it is hardly sticky enough for our
+            taste. Our luncheon is now ready, so please draw your
+            chairs to the table."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot tried to rise then, but found he was stuck fast to
+            his chair, owing to the heat of his body having warmed
+            the candy. Finding he could not get up he began to cry,
+            but Dot helped him, and by carefully pulling his
+            clothes away, an inch at a time, she managed to get him
+            loose. His clothes left a soft fuzz upon the seat and
+            back of the chair, and to avoid further trouble, the
+            candy man scattered powdered sugar over the chairs in
+            which Dot and Tot sat at the table.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I suppose it will powder your clothes somewhat," said
+            he, "but they can be brushed clean before you leave the
+            Valley."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The children enjoyed their novel luncheon. "It's the
+            first time," whispered Dot to Tot, "I ever had all the
+            candy I wanted to eat."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/79.jpg" alt="Dot and Tot">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Won't we get sick?" asked the boy, who was busily
+            eating a delicious peach&mdash;rose candy outside and a
+            soft, delicate cream within.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I suppose so," answered Dot, truthfully, "but there's
+            nothing else to eat, you see."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Don't want nuthin' else," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Allegretti," called the woman to one of the brown
+            maids, "bring a dish of those new cocoanut-kisses for
+            our guests. Won't you have a few more maple caramels?"
+            she asked, politely, turning to Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No, thank you," replied the child; "I've eaten so much
+            already that I fear I shall be ill."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, nonsense!" returned the little man; "you cannot
+            become ill eating this sort of candy, for it's the
+            purest in all the world. But if you lived here always
+            you would doubtless become as fat as we are, and
+            probably you would lose all your teeth."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We're not going to stay," answered Dot, in alarm. "We
+            shall have to start in just a few minutes."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But not until you have taken a short walk around our
+            Valley," remonstrated the little man. "You may never
+            come here again, you know, and it is a very sweet
+            sight."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They agreed to join their kind host in a walk, and
+            after the candy man had carefully dusted himself afresh
+            with powdered sugar, they started out.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            As they walked up the street, they noticed that many
+            people came to the doors of the candy houses and looked
+            at the strangers with great curiosity. These people
+            seemed made of many different kinds of candy, but all
+            were quite fat, and had their clothes painted upon them
+            in bright colors, like the candy images that are sold
+            in shops at Christmas time.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Aren't the people here very brittle?" asked Dot, as
+            they walked along.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, I may admit they are somewhat brittle," answered
+            the man. "That is one of the drawbacks we suffer from
+            being made of candy. Only two days ago, Mr. Gunther, a
+            particular friend of mine, fell down a hill and was
+            broken into seventeen different pieces."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Dear me!" exclaimed Dot. "What did you do with him?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, as he was ruined beyond repair, we divided him up
+            among the neighbors who loved him best, and ate him the
+            next morning for breakfast."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Ate him!" cried the girl, who was greatly shocked.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Certainly; Mr. Gunther was a very sweet man."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But this is horrible," said Dot, with a shudder. "You
+            are all cannibals!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Cannibals! What are those?" inquired the candy man.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why, people who eat each other," said Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, then we are cannibals, sure enough," declared the
+            little man, calmly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But cannibals are wicked creatures," said the child,
+            aghast at such savagery.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Is it wicked to eat candy in the country where you
+            live?" demanded the man.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No; but then people are not made of candy there."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well, here there is nothing else than candy; so if we
+            eat at all we must eat candy. Is it wicked to eat in
+            the country you came from?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No," replied Dot, who was beginning to be puzzled at
+            all this.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then," said the little man, "you cannot consider us
+            wicked for eating each other. Of course, we never eat
+            anyone who is not broken; but when a man breaks himself
+            into seventeen parts, it is considered quite a
+            compliment to him for the neighbors who feast upon his
+            pieces."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            This did not seem quite right to Dot, but she did not
+            know how to reply; and to add to her confusion, the
+            candy man suddenly held up his left hand, which he had
+            placed behind him as he talked, and showed her that his
+            thumb and two of the fingers were missing.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why, what can have happened to them?" she asked, in
+            real distress.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The candy man looked at his hand carefully, and then
+            quickly turned and looked at Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "There are marks of teeth on my hand," said he, "and no
+            one in this Valley has teeth except you two children."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/83.jpg" alt="Tot is accused">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Tot!" cried Dot; "did you bite off this gentleman's
+            fingers?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot hung his head.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Answer me!" said the girl. "Have you been eating our
+            friend?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well," said Tot, slowly, "he said the folks here were
+            good to eat; an'&mdash;an'&mdash;he held his hand
+            behind his back&mdash;right in front of my mouth;
+            an'&mdash;so I took one of little bite off his fingers,
+            an'&mdash;"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Tot," said Dot, "I'm ashamed of you! The idea of
+            eating one who has been so kind to us, and so soon
+            after luncheon, too!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Pray, do not scold him," said the candy man. "He says
+            I am good to eat, and that makes me so proud that I
+            shall not mind the loss of my fingers. When I have time
+            I can get some new ones patched on; so it does not
+            matter much in the least."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Still, Dot was hurt and angry at the occurrence, and
+            Tot walked behind them with hanging head.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Very soon they saw, sitting by the roadside, a child
+            who was so exceedingly black in color that Dot
+            exclaimed:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Surely, that baby isn't made of chocolate!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No," said her friend, "that's a licorice child. We
+            have a few of them in the Valley and they are much
+            admired. But here is our stream of pink lemonade, and
+            we will cross it by this little bridge."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/85.jpg" alt="The licorice baby">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The bridge was remarkably pretty, being made of
+            pea-green and orange-colored candy, twisted together
+            and ornamented with dainty frosted work such as bakers
+            put upon wedding cakes.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Upon reaching the other side of the stream they found
+            themselves near the mountains, which shut in the far
+            side of the Valley. Dot looked up at these mountains
+            and asked, curiously, "Who are all those people sitting
+            on the rocks?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            At the question, Tot looked up also and saw long rows
+            of candy men and women sitting close together at the
+            foot of the mountains.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Those people are the gum chewers," replied their
+            guide.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What are they doing there?" inquired the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "They are being punished," returned the candy man,
+            gravely. "If you look over yonder, to the left, you
+            will see a number of low bushes. On these grow all
+            kinds of chewing gums, and sometimes those who are
+            naughty go out there and pick the sticks of gum."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But I thought they had no teeth," said Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Nor have they; but their gums are hardened by long
+            use, so they are able to chew as well as you do. This
+            gum-chewing is a very disagreeable habit, as doubtless
+            you know; so when anyone is discovered indulging in
+            this habit, we make them come out here to the mountains
+            and sit on the rocks for seven days and seven nights.
+            It is a terrible disgrace, of course; but all
+            naughtiness must be punished in some way."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot watched the gum-chewers thoughtfully for a time,
+            being ashamed to remember that she herself had often
+            been guilty of indulging in this condemned habit; but
+            she said nothing about it, and soon they turned and
+            retraced their steps past the bridge and the village
+            and the home of their kind host, coming at last to the
+            river's edge where they had landed.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/86.jpg" alt="Gum chewers"><br>
+            <img src="images/87.jpg" alt="Gum chewers">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Here Dot and Tot were surprised to find one end of
+            their boat filled with delicious looking candies, which
+            the colored maids had placed there during their walk,
+            being directed in the work by the little candy woman
+            with the Shaker bonnet.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot thanked the kind lady earnestly, for the food she
+            had brought in the basket was nearly gone. Then the
+            candy lady gave each of the children a sweet kiss, and
+            the candy man shook hands with them, being careful not
+            to let Tot bite off any more of his fingers.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Our little adventurers now seated themselves in the
+            boat, and the chocolate maids pushed it off the bank
+            for them. Soon they were drifting down the river again,
+            and before long reached the archway that led to the
+            Third Valley of Merryland.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/88.jpg" alt=
+            "The candy people say goodbey">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="9"><img src="images/89a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Nine&mdash;The Third Valley"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/89b.jpg" alt="S" align="left">oft
+            strains of sweet and soothing music fell upon the ears
+            of the children as the boat glided silently through the
+            arch that led into the Third Valley. Then the jagged
+            rocks surrounding them melted away in the rear, and
+            they passed into a country that lay peaceful and
+            smiling under the pleasant rays of the sun.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            At first, Dot thought the entire Valley was carpeted
+            with soft, white plush, but afterward she found it was
+            a silken moss which grew thickly everywhere. There were
+            a few trees, with wide-spreading branches, and upon
+            these grew beautiful flowers that filled the air with
+            delicate perfume, but in most places the Valley, which
+            was shaped like a great cup with gently sloping sides,
+            was open to the warm rays of summer sunshine which
+            flooded it.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The entire scene was pretty to look upon; but what made
+            the children's eyes open wide with wonder was the sight
+            of hundreds of little, naked babies lying about upon
+            the soft moss. They were waving their dimpled arms
+            about, kicking out their chubby feet, or holding their
+            tiny, fat thumbs in their mouths, while they cooed and
+            crowed in a very happy and contented way. The breeze
+            that blew gently through the trees made the music Dot
+            and Tot heard; but the strains were soft and low, and
+            seemed like a lullaby to hush the babies to sleep.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Some of these little ones were sleeping as the boat
+            drew near, and they looked cozy and comfortable as they
+            lay curled up on the moss; but others were wide awake
+            and full of playfulness, while none of them cried or
+            fretted or seemed a bit cross.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/91.jpg" align="right" alt="A stork">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The babies were not the only inhabitants of this
+            strange Valley, however. Walking among them were
+            several long-legged, solemn-looking Storks, pure white
+            in color, with splashes of black upon their wings. They
+            appeared to act as nurses or guardians of the babies,
+            and every now and then would fill a bottle with sweet
+            milk from the fountain, and placed it beside a baby
+            that acted as if it might be hungry. This fountain
+            stood in about the center of the Valley and sent many
+            sprays of new milk into the air, from whence it fell in
+            graceful curves into a big basin of pure white marble.
+            The nursing bottles were kept on a wide shelf at the
+            edge of the fountain, where they were handy for the
+            Storks to use.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            While Dot and Tot were looking at the strange sights of
+            this Valley, which was so different from the others
+            they had seen, their boat drifted close to the shore,
+            and one or two of the Storks came down to the river
+            bank and looked at them curiously with their bright
+            eyes.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then one of the big, long-legged birds spoke to them in
+            a voice that was soft and pleasing. "Why did you come
+            to our Valley?" it asked. "You are too old to become
+            babies again."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, we're not babies," said Dot, earnestly. "We're
+            quite grown up. And we came here because we could not
+            help it. In a few minutes we will go away again into
+            the next Valley."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh," said the Stork, "very well."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Isn't that milk I see in the fountain?" asked the
+            child, after a little pause.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Certainly it is," answered the Stork; "we feed the
+            babies with it."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Could&mdash;could I have a drink of it?" asked Dot,
+            who was thirsty from eating so much candy.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why, bless the child! Of course you can. We have
+            plenty and to spare. Come on shore at once, but be
+            careful not to step on the babies."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I want a drink, too!" cried Tot, who had been so much
+            astonished to hear a bird speak that he had remained
+            silent until now.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You may both drink as much as you wish," replied the
+            Stork, in a kindly voice.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So the children stepped out upon the bank and fastened
+            their boat, that it might not float away without them.
+            Then, taking each other's hands, they followed the
+            Stork over the silken moss to the fountain. There were
+            no cups, so Dot and Tot drank from bottles; but they
+            thought it the most delicious milk they had ever
+            tasted.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            While Dot was drinking she happened to look up into the
+            sky, and something she saw there made her utter a cry
+            of surprise. A fleecy, flower-like bud was floating,
+            lightly as thistle-down, high in the air, and seemed to
+            be slowly dropping into the Valley.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What is that?" asked the girl, wonderingly.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/93b.jpg" border="1" alt=
+            "A baby-blossom">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That?" answered the Stork, turning its head sideways
+            so that its round, black eye could look at the sky;
+            "why, that's a baby-blossom to be sure."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "And what is a baby-blossom?" inquired Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Wait a moment and you will see," replied the Stork.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Slowly and gently the white object floated downward,
+            and even as Dot and Tot watched it, the fleecy blossom
+            sank upon the moss a few feet from where they stood.
+            Then one white leaf unfolded, and another, and still
+            another, until they saw lying in the center of the
+            flower a beautiful baby, fast asleep. While the
+            children looked upon this sight, hushed and silent at
+            the wonder of it, the leaves of the blossom faded away
+            and disappeared, while the new baby rolled over and
+            opened wide its big, blue eyes.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It will be hungry after the long journey," said the
+            old Stork, and, filling a bottle at the fountain, the
+            bird carried it in its long bill to the baby and began
+            to feed it, crooning at the same time the following
+            verse:
+        </p>
+        <p class="poem">
+            <i>Hushaby, lullaby,<br>
+            Sweet flower from the sky;<br>
+            Glad be thy dreams, for thy<br>
+            Life lies before thee.<br>
+            Soon shalt thou be at rest,<br>
+            Soon fondled and caressed,<br>
+            Pressed to the mother's breast<br>
+            Who will adore thee.</i>
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The baby looked up at the Stork, smiled sweetly and
+            then closed its eyes in sleep; while Tot, who had
+            watched this scene with much interest, asked in a low
+            voice, "Do all the babies come from the sky?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The old Stork did not seem to hear him; but another
+            bird, which was busily filling nursing bottles at the
+            fountain, replied:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Certainly, they do."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I should think it would get crowded," said practical
+            Dot, "for here comes another blossom."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Two of 'em!" added Tot, looking upwards.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/95.jpg" alt="A stork and a baby">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Indeed, two more of the baby-blossoms were seen
+            floating down from the clear, blue sky, and the
+            children watched them until they settled upon the white
+            moss and opened their leaves, setting free two more
+            rosy, new-born babies.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The Stork at the fountain was now singing an odd little
+            song in a soft, cooing voice, and as Dot listened she
+            caught the following words:
+        </p>
+        <p class="poem">
+            <i>Coo-oo-oo, Coo-oo-oo!<br>
+            Babies are born ev'ry minute, 'tis true<br>
+            Babies are best when they're chubby and new;<br>
+            'Most anybody will want one or two;<br>
+            Some people willingly take quite a few.<br>
+            Here comes another! For babies are due<br>
+            To fall when they're fresh and tender and new.<br>
+            Coo-oo-oo, Coo-oo-oo!<br>
+            Babies are blossoms that fall like the dew.</i>
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/96.jpg" alt="Storks and babies">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Just then the older Stork, which seemed to be the chief
+            of the nurses, came toward the fountain and said to
+            another of the birds, "It is time to take one of the
+            babies into the world. They are coming quite fast
+            to-day, and we must make room for the new ones."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Very well," answered the other. They walked among the
+            babies until they came to one quite big and strong, who
+            was lying fast asleep. This baby the Stork picked up
+            very tenderly and placed upon the other bird's back,
+            twining its little arms around the long, soft neck, to
+            which it clung tightly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then, spreading its great wings, the Stork flew into
+            the air, bearing the baby gently, and sailed over the
+            edge of the Valley into the world beyond, where it
+            disappeared from view.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That is the way we keep our Valley from getting
+            crowded," said the old Stork.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Do you suppose," asked Dot, "that I lived here once,
+            when I was a baby?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Probably," answered the bird. "But, of course, I
+            cannot remember all the babies, especially after they
+            grow big."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, of course not," exclaimed the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Course not," said Tot; "too many of 'em."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Now, if you will excuse me, I'll feed the two babies
+            who have just arrived," said the motherly old Stork;
+            and so the children watched it and the other Storks for
+            some time, and admired the gentle way in which they
+            tended the babies, and heard again and again the
+            crooning song:
+        </p>
+        <p class="poem">
+            <i>Hushaby, lullaby,<br>
+            Sweet flower from the sky,</i>
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            which always seemed to have the effect of sending the
+            babies to sleep.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Having taken one more drink at the fountain and said
+            goodbye to the kind Storks, Dot and Tot returned to
+            their boat.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            As they pushed it out into the stream, Dot asked a
+            Stork that stood watching them:
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/98.jpg" alt=
+            "A Stork flies with a baby">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What is in the next Valley?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, the Queen of all Merryland lives there," answered
+            the bird, "for that is the Fourth Valley, and lies in
+            the center of the Seven."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then, with a feeling of awe at their approach to the
+            Queen who ruled this wonderful land, the children
+            turned their eyes anxiously toward the fourth archway.
+            But as the boat drifted through its entrance, Tot
+            looked back into the Valley they were leaving and
+            noticed another baby-blossom floating down from the
+            sky, while the voice of a Stork sang softly:
+        </p>
+        <p class="poem">
+            <i>"Coo-oo-oo, Coo-oo-oo!<br>
+            Babies are born every minute, 'tis true."</i>
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/99.jpg" alt="A stork">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="10"><img src="images/101a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Ten&mdash;The Queen of Merryland"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/101b.jpg" alt="W" align="left">hen the
+            boat carried Dot and Tot beyond the rocky arch that led
+            to the Fourth and most important Valley of Merry-land,
+            the children held their breaths in suspense; for here
+            lived the Queen of all this wonderful country, and they
+            had no idea what she was like.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Perhaps she will be angry with us for disobeying the
+            Watch-Dog's orders," Dot whispered; "and then she may
+            punish us in some terrible manner."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No, she won't," replied Tot, confidently.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Perhaps she will make us slaves and compel us to work
+            for her," continued Dot, with a little shudder.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No, she won't," protested Tot, stoutly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why won't she, Tot?" asked the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "'Cause it's Merryland," returned the boy.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Ah! That's true," said Dot, thoughtfully; "the Queen
+            of this lovely and happy country couldn't be very cross
+            with us."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Course not," agreed Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then we won't be afraid," she added, her courage
+            restored by Tot's simple faith; "but will wait and see
+            what happens to us."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boat now swept around a bend in the river, and they
+            saw they were in a Valley somewhat larger than any they
+            had yet visited; but their view was shut off by a high
+            wall that ran along the river bank on one side, and by
+            the rocky edge of the Valley on the other side.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The wall was higher than their heads when they stood up
+            in the boat, and upon its top Dot noticed several
+            little wooden soldiers, with guns on their shoulders,
+            walking stiffly back and forth, as if they were keeping
+            guard. Each of these soldiers was seemingly made out of
+            one piece of wood, and wore a high black hat and a red
+            coat with black buttons, while his trousers were
+            painted white. The guns did not look very dangerous,
+            and Dot remembered that once she had owned a box of
+            just such looking soldiers as these.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/103.jpg" alt="The soldiers">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            But the soldiers on the wall were moving around, and
+            Dot's soldiers had never moved at all&mdash;at least,
+            while she was looking at them. What they might have
+            done when she was not looking she, of course, could not
+            tell.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The wooden soldiers paid no attention to the boat,
+            which glided slowly down the stream, while the children
+            looked for a place to land.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Perhaps we'll float right through the Valley,"
+            whispered Dot, "and then the Queen will never know
+            we've been in her country at all."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            In a few moments, however, they saw a gate in the wall,
+            made of wood and nearly covered with gold and silver
+            plates that shone brightly in the sun. In front of this
+            gate was a little landing place and some steps leading
+            down to the river. They floated up to the steps and
+            stopped, so Dot and Tot got out and tied the boat to a
+            silver ring in the wall. Then they walked to the gate,
+            where Dot was just putting out her hand to open it,
+            when she heard a voice cry:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Halt!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She looked up and saw that on each side of the gate was
+            standing one of the wooden soldiers. Their guns were
+            pointed straight at Dot and Tot, and although the
+            soldiers were not much taller than Tot's knee, the
+            children were startled at their warlike attitude and
+            stood still in surprise.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Can't we open the gate?" asked the girl, after a
+            moment.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/104.jpg" alt=
+            "Dot and Tot talk to the soldier">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No!" answered one of the soldiers, in a voice he tried
+            to make gruff, but which sounded rather squeaky, as if
+            it needed oiling.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why not?" inquired Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It's against orders," replied the soldier. "The Queen
+            has commanded me to shoot any stranger who tries to
+            open the gate."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But your gun is only wood," said Dot, who was annoyed
+            at the soldier's interference.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Wooden guns can't shoot!" shouted Tot, gleefully.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The soldier seemed somewhat embarrassed at this and Dot
+            thought he blushed a little.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It does not matter whether my gun will shoot or not,"
+            he answered, stiffly. "I am ordered not to let anyone
+            open the gate."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But you have no right to give me orders," said the
+            girl. "I don't belong to Merryland, so your Queen has
+            no authority over either Tot or me."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then why are you here, if you don't belong here?"
+            asked the soldier.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot hesitated to reply, for she felt the rebuke this
+            question implied.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We couldn't help coming," she explained, at last; "the
+            boat brought us."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well, since you are here," said the soldier, "you must
+            obey the laws of this country and the Queen who rules
+            it."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That's rubbish!" cried Dot, now thoroughly provoked.
+            "You can't obey the orders of your Queen yourself."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why not?" inquired the soldier, in surprise.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You were ordered to shoot, were you not?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Certainly."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well, you can't shoot, for your gun is made of wood.
+            So you cannot obey orders."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But if you had not come here," protested the soldier,
+            "I should have had no occasion to shoot. So it is all
+            your fault."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Perhaps so," replied Dot; "but I mean to open the gate
+            in spite of your orders."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She raised the latch and the gate began to swing slowly
+            back upon its hinges; but when it had partly opened,
+            she saw standing before her another wooden soldier,
+            dressed like a Captain, who held in his hand a wooden
+            sword.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Stand back!" cried the Captain. "If you advance
+            another step I will stick my sword into you."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot looked at the sword and saw that the point of it
+            was really sharp. So she stopped short and said, "Does
+            the Queen of Merryland live here?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "She does," replied the Captain.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then please let her know that I have come to call upon
+            her," continued Dot. She was a wise little girl, and
+            knew that while she might safely argue with the
+            helpless soldiers, it was far better to be polite to
+            the Captain with the sharp sword.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            At her request the officer bowed courteously and blew
+            upon a pewter whistle that hung around his neck. In
+            answer to the summons another soldier appeared, who
+            saluted his Captain respectfully.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Go to her Majesty the Queen," commanded the officer,
+            "and tell her there are two strangers at the gate who
+            wish to see her."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            At once the soldier started upon his mission, and the
+            little wooden Captain turned to Dot and Tot, saying,
+            "You may come within the gate and sit down while you
+            await the commands of our Queen; but if she will not
+            receive you, of course you must go out again."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/107.jpg" align="right" alt=
+            "The soldiers">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So the children passed through the gateway, which the
+            Captain closed behind them, and sat down upon a small
+            wooden bench built against the wall. Then they began to
+            look around, for now before their eyes was the Fourth
+            Valley of Merryland, the home of the Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why, it's just like a toy village!" cried Dot, after
+            the first look.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            It really was something like a toy village. There were
+            several pretty streets, with rows of little houses
+            facing them, and each house was much ornamented and
+            brightly painted. Before the houses were rows of trees
+            which seemed to have been whittled out of wood, for the
+            leaves looked like shavings. These trees were colored a
+            bright emerald green, and each one stood upon a little
+            round platform of its own. The grass also looked like
+            wood shavings, and was dyed the same bright green color
+            as the trees.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot gazed dreamily at the houses and thought they
+            resembled the big doll's playhouse her papa had once
+            given her for Christmas, and which now was standing in
+            the attic of her city home.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            At the far end of the main street, which ran down to
+            the gate where they sat, was a house much bigger than
+            the others, having for a roof a round dome which shone
+            in the sun as if made of gold. This house was built in
+            a remarkably beautiful and artistic manner, and before
+            it, upon a bright green lawn, stood many trees and
+            flowering shrubs.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Who lives there?" Dot asked the wooden Captain.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That is the palace of her Majesty the Queen," was the
+            reply.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh!" said Dot; "is she very big?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Quite big," answered the Captain, proudly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But," he added, "of course she is not so extremely
+            large as you are."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/109.jpg" align="right" alt=
+            "The soldiers at the palace">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh!" exclaimed Dot again, and before he had time to
+            say anything more she saw a carriage drive around to
+            the front of the palace. Then the door quickly opened,
+            and what looked to be a lady came out and entered the
+            carriage.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            It was so far away she could not see the lady clearly
+            at first; but soon the carriage came rolling swiftly
+            toward them, and both Dot and Tot stood up that they
+            might see plainly who was coming.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            In a remarkably short time the carriage reached the
+            gate and stopped short, and now the children's eyes
+            were big with wonder as they looked upon it and its
+            occupants.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The carriage itself was of the kind that are sold in
+            toy shops, and it was drawn by two horses standing upon
+            wooden platforms with rollers underneath, so that
+            instead of the horses themselves running, the wheels of
+            the platforms whirled around, taking the carriage
+            wherever the driver might direct. This driver looked
+            for all the world like a rag doll dressed in a
+            coachman's uniform. His neck was rather weak, and that
+            caused his head to lean slightly to one side, giving
+            him a somewhat broken-down appearance; but he held the
+            reins firmly in his stuffed hands and looked straight
+            ahead, like a well-trained servant.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Seated in the carriage was the loveliest Wax Doll the
+            children had ever looked upon. She was nearly as big as
+            Tot, and was exquisitely dressed in a gown of soft,
+            fluffy white material, with many pink ribbons upon her
+            shoulders and sleeves, and a broad sash around her
+            waist. Her silken hair was long and of a golden color,
+            while her eyes were blue, and had in their depths a
+            sweet and gentle expression. As for her complexion, it
+            was a dainty pink-and-white, delicately blended. Upon
+            her head she wore a golden crown with seven points upon
+            it, and each point was tipped with a gleaming jewel.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Almost at first sight Dot longed to hold the Wax Doll
+            in her arms and love and fondle her, and Tot suddenly
+            became so bashful that he took off his hat and bowed
+            his head to the "sweet lady" (as he called her), with
+            his eyes bent upon the ground.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Yet scarcely had the children taken a good look at this
+            delightful creature, when the Wax Doll leaped lightly
+            from the carriage and stood before them, showing, as
+            she did so, that her feet were clad in white satin
+            slippers, embroidered with silver.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Who are you?" she asked, in a pleasant voice, but with
+            some anxiety, Dot thought; "and how did you ever get to
+            Merryland?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We came in a boat," replied the girl; "and this is my
+            friend, Tot Thompson, and I am Dot Freeland."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Dot F'eelun," murmured Tot, shyly lifting his eyes and
+            nodding his head.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But you shouldn't have come here," said the little
+            lady. "This is private property, and I have placed
+            guards to prevent anyone entering my Valleys."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Are you the Queen?" asked the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, I am Queen of all Merryland; and I cannot
+            understand why my guards have disobeyed my orders."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, the guards were all right," said Dot. "It was we
+            who disobeyed. But we really couldn't help it, for we
+            had to go wherever the boat carried us."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then she told the Queen all the story of their
+            adventures, and of how they had been carried by
+            accident into the Valleys of Merryland.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            After she had heard the story, the little lady looked
+            puzzled for a moment and then said, "No one who enters
+            my kingdom should ever be allowed to leave it again,
+            for if they did the world should soon know all about me
+            and my people. If that happened, all our comfort and
+            fun would be spoiled, for strangers would be coming
+            here every day."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Have strangers been here before?" asked Dot, timidly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Never," answered the Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then what are you going to do with us?" inquired the
+            girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Really, I do not know. You see, I am so perplexed that
+            I have stopped smiling, and that will never do in the
+            world; for should the weather change and cool my wax, I
+            would remain solemn until it warmed up again, and my
+            people would then think me unworthy to be the Queen of
+            Merryland."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble," said
+            Dot, softly. "I'd much rather be at home again, if I
+            could, although your Valleys are so queer and
+            delightful."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then the Queen again smiled upon them.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Don't worry, my dear," she exclaimed, brightly, "I'll
+            find some way out of our difficulty when I have used my
+            thinking machine. Until then you must come to my palace
+            and be treated as my guests."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Thank you," said Dot and Tot together.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The Queen turned to the wooden Captain and commanded:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Escort these strangers to my royal palace, and see
+            that you treat them most politely; for although they
+            are in reality my prisoners, they have been guilty of
+            no intentional wrong and seem to be nice children."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The wooden Captain removed his wooden hat and bowed
+            very low, so low indeed that Tot could see the peg on
+            the top of his head that held the hat on when it was in
+            place.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/113.jpg" alt="The Queen of Merryland">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Your Majesty's commands shall be obeyed," he said.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then the Queen stepped into her carriage, the rag
+            coachman cracked his whip, and the wheels of the
+            horses' platform began spinning around. Then the Queen
+            rode swiftly up the street to her royal palace.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot and Tot followed more slowly, for the Captain who
+            escorted them was exceedingly small and walked stiffly,
+            having no joints in his knees. As they trudged along
+            Tot asked the Captain:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why do the horses go on wheels?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Because they're made that way, I suppose," was the
+            reply.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why don't they make 'em to walk on their legs?"
+            continued the boy.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It would tire them too much," answered the Captain.
+            "Being on platforms, the horses never get tired, you
+            see, for the wheels do all the work."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh!" said Tot, "I see." Then, after a pause, he asked:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What do you feed 'em?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Cotton," answered the Captain. "We keep them quite
+            full of it all the time. That's what makes them look so
+            plump and healthy. What do they feed horses on in your
+            country?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Hay," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We tried stuffing ours with hay once," remarked the
+            Captain; "but it made their skins look lumpy, it was so
+            coarse; so now we use cotton altogether."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I see," said Tot again, in a rather bewildered voice.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The street they were walking upon was smooth and level,
+            and the houses they passed were neat and pretty; but
+            both the children noticed there were no people to be
+            seen anywhere about the village. This seemed strange,
+            and Dot was about ask who lived in the houses, when
+            they arrived at the gate of the palace, upon which the
+            Captain knocked three times with the handle of his
+            wooden sword.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Thereupon the gate opened slowly, and they passed into
+            a beautiful flower garden, and walked along the
+            green-bordered paths until they came to the high-arched
+            doorway of the palace.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/115.jpg" alt="Feeding a horse">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot had only time to notice that there were seven
+            golden stars above the doorway, when the Queen herself
+            appeared and led them through a hall into her drawing
+            room, having dismissed the wooden Captain with a nod of
+            her royal head.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Although the house was by far the biggest one in the
+            Valley, the tops of the doors were only a little way
+            above Dot's head, and when the children sat down in the
+            drawing room they chose the biggest chairs, and found
+            them just about the right size.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Now, my dears," said the pretty Queen, "it is almost
+            dinner time, and I know you must be nearly starved; so
+            I will have you shown at once to your rooms, and when
+            you have bathed your faces and brushed your clothes you
+            shall have something nice to eat."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She touched a bell that stood upon a table near by, and
+            at once there came into the room a little boy doll,
+            dressed in a brown suit with brass buttons. He was
+            larger in size than any doll Tot had seen outside of
+            Merryland, yet he was not so big as the Queen herself.
+            When the children looked at him closely, they could see
+            that his face and hands and feet were knitted from
+            colored worsteds, while his eyes were two big black
+            beads.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            This curious doll walked straight up to the Queen and
+            bowed before her, while she said, "Scollops, show this
+            young man to the laughing chamber, and wait upon him
+            while he arranges his toilet."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/117.jpg" alt="Scollops and Tot">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Scollops, as the knitted boy seemed named, bowed again
+            and murmured, "Your Majesty shall be obeyed." Then,
+            turning to Tot, he took his hand and led him from the
+            room. The hand felt soft and woolly to Tot, but he did
+            not object to it, for Scollops had a merry expression
+            to his face that won the little boy's heart at once.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Where are we going?" he asked, as they began to mount
+            the stairs.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "To the laughing chamber," replied Scollops; and having
+            reached the top of the stairs, they walked down a long
+            hallway and entered a room so odd and pretty that Tot
+            stopped short and gazed at it in astonishment.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            In many ways it was like an ordinary room, for it
+            contained a dresser, a bed, chairs and a table. But
+            upon the wall were painted hundreds of heads of
+            children&mdash;boys and girls of all countries, with
+            light and dark hair, straight and curly hair, blue and
+            black and brown and gray eyes, and all with laughing
+            faces. The posts of the bed were also carved into
+            laughing baby faces; the chairs and the dresser showed
+            a face upon every spot where there was a place for one,
+            and every face throughout the whole room had a smile
+            upon it. To match the rest of the furniture, the carpet
+            had woven upon it in bright colors all kinds of
+            laughing children's faces, and the effect of the queer
+            room was to make Tot himself laugh until the tears roll
+            down his cheeks.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            When the boy had looked the room over and seen all the
+            faces, Scollops helped him to wash his hands and face,
+            to comb his hair and to brush his clothes, and when
+            this task was finished, the woolly doll said:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I will now show you why this room is called the
+            laughing chamber. Lie down upon the bed a
+            moment&mdash;but don't get your shoes against the clean
+            covers."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/119.jpg" alt="The laughing chamber">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot lay down upon the bed, and at once heard a sweet,
+            tinkling chorus of laughter coming from every part of
+            the room. It was so delightful and soothing that he
+            listened to it rapture. Softly his eyes closed, and in
+            another moment he would have been sound asleep had not
+            Scollops raised him to his feet and said:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It is not time for sleep yet, for you haven't had your
+            dinner. But the laughing faces will make you slumber
+            peacefully when the time comes, and give you pleasant
+            dreams, too."
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/120.jpg" alt="The laughing chamber">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="11"><img src="images/121a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Eleven&mdash;The Palace of Wonders"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/121b.jpg" alt="N" align="left">o
+            sooner had Scollops taken Tot from the drawing room
+            than the Queen touched her bell a second time, and in
+            answer to the summons a neatly dressed doll maid
+            entered the room and made her bow before her pretty
+            mistress. This maid was a pleasant looking little
+            person; but Dot noticed her eyebrows were painted upon
+            her face, and her hair seemed painted on, too, only the
+            little white cap nearly covered it, so it didn't show
+            much.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Twinkle," said the Queen, "show this young lady to the
+            musical chamber and wait upon her as she dresses for
+            dinner." Then, turning to Dot, she added, "I shall
+            retire to my own room and use my thinking machine while
+            you are gone, so that I may know what to do with you.
+            Your coming has completely upset my life, for I never
+            thought to see strangers in Merryland. But you must not
+            worry. Doubtless, my thinking machine will show me
+            exactly what to do with you, and in any event I could
+            not harm two such gentle children as you and Tot."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She nodded smilingly and left the room, while the maid
+            Twinkle led Dot up the stairs and along the hallway to
+            her room.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The girl thought she had never seen a prettier chamber,
+            although she had always been daintily cared for by her
+            wealthy parents. The bedstead was of pure ivory, and
+            the pillows were covered with creamy-white silk,
+            embroidered with white flowers. The bedspread was of
+            pure white, too, and over it were thickly sewn many
+            brilliant diamonds, while the fringe along the edges
+            was made of diamond beads. The chairs and sofas were
+            covered with white brocaded silks, and the velvet
+            carpet was scattered with lilies-of-the-valley on a
+            delicate green groundwork.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            In one corner stood a beautiful little dressing table
+            with a big mirror above it, and through a draped
+            doorway Dot saw a luxurious little bathroom with a tub
+            of white marble.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It's a lovely room," said Dot to the maid; "but why
+            did the Queen call it the musical chamber?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Sit down, please," was Twinkle's reply. So Dot seated
+            herself in an easy chair, and no sooner had she touched
+            the cushions than the sweetest strains of music fell
+            upon her ears. She listened to it delightedly until the
+            piece was finished, when Twinkle raised her to her
+            feet.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "The music will play as long as you sit there," she
+            said. "Try the sofa."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Then Dot sat upon one of the sofas, and heard the
+            strains of a military band, seemingly far away, but
+            sounding sweetly and distinctly, nevertheless.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Twinkle now led her to the bath-room that she might
+            bathe her face and hands, and when the water fell into
+            the basin it played an inspiring waltz tune. The
+            brushes which the maid passed through Dot's hair were
+            musical, too, and everything she touched seemed to play
+            to her the most ravishing strains of melody.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Now," said Twinkle, "lie down upon the bed a moment."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot obeyed, and heard a chorus of sweet, childish
+            voices singing such dreamy, soothing lullabies that her
+            eyes closed in spite of herself, and she was almost
+            asleep when Twinkle aroused her and bade her attend the
+            Queen's banquet.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "The voices will sing you to sleep when bedtime comes,"
+            said the maid; "but now you must have dinner and learn
+            what fate the Queen of Merryland has in store for you."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She walked to a door that was half hidden behind a rich
+            drapery, and, pushing it open, showed Dot that it led
+            to the laughing chamber. It was with real pleasure that
+            the girl saw her friend Tot, who had at that moment
+            just risen from his bed.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boy eagerly showed her all the gay, mirthful faces
+            in his room, and they made Dot laugh out of pure
+            sympathy. Then she brought Tot into her own dainty
+            chamber, where he sat upon a chair and heard an
+            orchestra play a merry schottische. But Twinkle and
+            Scollops were now impatient to hurry them away, so soon
+            they descended the stairway again and were ushered into
+            the royal banquet room.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The Queen had arrived there before them, and her was
+            face was smiling as sweetly as ever. She set Dot upon
+            one side of her at the big table and Tot upon the other
+            side.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            This table was spread with delicate glassware and rare
+            vases of fragrant flowers, and the dishes they ate from
+            they perceived were of solid gold.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "How did you like your chamber?" the Queen asked Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It is delightful," she answered. "I did not think
+            there could be such a beautiful room in all the world."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "And were you also pleased?" inquired the Wax Doll,
+            turning toward the boy.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "My room's fine," replied Tot; "it made me laugh!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The dinner was now served, and certainly no more
+            delicious meal was ever eaten by children, unless they
+            chanced to dine with the Queen of Merryland. There were
+            many courses of rich and rare edibles, and each dish
+            Dot and Tot thought could not be surpassed until they
+            tasted the next one.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Really," said Dot with an admiring glance at her
+            Majesty, "you must be a fairy."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/125.jpg" alt=
+            "The Queen speaks with Dot and Tot">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "To be sure I am!" laughed the pretty Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Still, you are not like any fairy I have read about,"
+            continued the child, gravely.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No, I suppose not," returned the Wax Doll. "You must
+            know that fairies are as different from one another as
+            other people are, and the reason you have not read
+            about me is because the folk who write fairy tales have
+            never been to Merryland."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That is true," agreed Dot. "Tot and I were the first
+            to discover you."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, and you were very wrong to do so," added the
+            Queen, reprovingly. "But I have used my thinking
+            machine, as I promised, and it has shown me an easy way
+            out of my difficulties."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What will you do with us?" asked Dot, looking at the
+            Queen so anxiously that she forgot to drink her nectar.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'm going to adopt you," was the calm reply.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Adopt us!" exclaimed the girl, wonderingly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, that is the only thing to do. You are going to be
+            my adopted daughter, the Princess Dot of Merryland; and
+            your companion must become my adopted son, Prince Tot
+            of Merryland."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But must we always live here?" enquired Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Can't we go home again?" demanded Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Those are questions I cannot answer now," said the
+            Queen. "For the time, at least, you must live with me,
+            and I think you will be delighted with this Valley and
+            all the pretty things I have to show you. Should you
+            ever grow tired of Merryland we will talk about your
+            leaving it. At present you will be wise to think of
+            nothing but your happiness in becoming members of the
+            royal family of this kingdom."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boy and girl listened to this silently and
+            thoughtfully, for although the Queen smiled, she spoke
+            with a dignity and authority that made them realize she
+            was very much in earnest. But seeing that her guests
+            looked serious and troubled, the little lady soon rose
+            from the table, saying more cheerfully as she did so,
+            "It is nearly time for my army to drill, so, if it
+            please you, we will sit upon the balcony and eat our
+            ice cream while we watch the soldiers."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/127.jpg" alt="Scollops">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot and Tot sprang up at once and followed the Queen to
+            a balcony that ran across the front of the palace. Here
+            they seated themselves and were served with delicate
+            ice-cream hollyhocks upon golden saucers by Twinkle and
+            Scollops.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why do you call the maid Twinkle?" Dot asked the
+            Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Because she steps so quickly and so softly, like the
+            twinkling of a star, and because her eyes are so bright
+            and sparkling," answered the Wax Doll.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why do you call him Scollops?" enquired Tot, pointing
+            his finger at the boy doll.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Because his hair is all knitted in scollops, and he
+            has scollops around his wrists and at the bottom of his
+            trousers."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot looked, and sure enough the scollops were there.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You see we always have a reason for the names we bear
+            in this kingdom. It is only in the big outside world
+            that people have names that mean nothing," said the
+            Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What is your name?" asked the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/128.jpg" alt="The servants">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Haven't you heard it?" enquired the Queen, with a
+            surprised look.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No; I have only heard you called the Queen," said Dot;
+            "but, of course, you must have a name of your own."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, I certainly have," answered the little lady. "My
+            name is&mdash;&mdash;." Then she stopped suddenly and
+            leaned over the balcony, while she held up one of her
+            pink hands and whispered: "Listen!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The children now heard the sound of martial music
+            approaching, and in a few minutes there marched around
+            the corner of the palace a band of pewter musicians.
+            They were dressed in brightly painted uniforms and
+            marched proudly and in excellent time, while they
+            played as loudly as possible upon their instruments.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Following the band came a squadron of pewter soldiers
+            on horseback, and the horses reared and pranced, while
+            the officers waved their pewter swords above their
+            heads in an impressive manner. Next came the foot
+            soldiers, company after company, wearing red painted
+            uniforms and blue painted uniforms, as well as uniforms
+            of green and yellow paint.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Not a man in the entire army was more than six inches
+            high, and all were made of pewter&mdash;just like the
+            boxes of soldiers you buy at the toy shops; but they
+            marched like real live soldiers, and there were so many
+            of them that it was actually an impressive sight.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            As each company passed beneath the balcony where the
+            Queen sat, the men saluted her respectfully and the
+            officers raised their hats, while the doll Queen bowed
+            graciously in return.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Isn't that a fine army?" she asked, proudly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "They're rather small for soldiers," replied Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I could kick 'em all over with my foot!" said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, but that would be wrong," exclaimed the Queen.
+            "Surely they haven't done you any harm."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No," said Tot; "but I could fight 'em all."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It's wrong to fight," remarked the Queen, reprovingly.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/130.jpg" alt="Soldiers">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then what do you have soldiers for?" questioned Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why, to march and drill and look pretty, of course,"
+            answered the Queen. "I thought everyone loved to see
+            soldiers march."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I suppose they do," said the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No one should wish to hurt such brightly dressed
+            creatures," continued her Majesty, "nor should a
+            soldier wish to harm anyone else."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yet the wooden Captain at the gate threatened to stick
+            his sword into us," declared the child.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/131.jpg" alt="Soldiers">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That's different," replied the Queen. "The wooden
+            soldiers are guardians of the Valley, and it is their
+            duty to threaten and scare folks. But had the Captain
+            really hurt you with his sword, I should have had the
+            quarrelsome fellow chopped into kindling wood. He's
+            quite dry and would burn nicely."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They sat for some time watching the pewter soldiers
+            drill, and finally the entire army marched away again.
+            When they had gone, the little village seemed as silent
+            and deserted as it had been before.
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="12"><img src="images/133a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Twelve&mdash;Prince Dot and Princess Tot"></a><br>
+
+            <img src="images/133b.jpg" alt="N" align="left">ow,"
+            said the Queen, "you must come to my throne room and be
+            adopted."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So she led the way and they followed her to a beautiful
+            apartment, large and grand, with high ceilings set with
+            precious stones. In the middle of the room stood the
+            Queen's magnificent throne.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Seating herself among the cushions of the throne, her
+            Majesty touched a bell which brought Scollops running
+            in.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Send to me all the people of my household, as quickly
+            as possible," commanded the Queen of Merryland. "I am
+            about to perform an important ceremony, and they must
+            all witness my act."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Scollops bowed and retired, and the Wax Doll turned to
+            Dot and Tot and remarked, "I've never adopted anyone
+            before so I don't know exactly the form of ceremony I
+            ought to employ; but I shall do the best I can, and
+            that ought to be satisfactory to you."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, yes," said Dot. "I suppose so."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Does it hurt?" asked Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Does what hurt?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "To be 'dopted."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I hope not," said the little Queen; "I shall try to be
+            as gentle as possible."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The members of the household now entered the room and
+            the children found there were a good many of them. All
+            were dolls of some sort; but Dot noticed the Queen was
+            the only wax doll in the Valley, so far as she had
+            seen. Among the household servants the cooks were black
+            dolls, the chambermaids were china dolls, and the
+            others seemed mostly made of wood, although there was
+            one elderly doll that was clearly papier-mach&eacute;.
+            These knelt down in a circle before the Queen and
+            remained in this humble position during the Ceremony of
+            Adoption.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Her Majesty began by making a speech, in which she told
+            how the strangers had been carried by accident into
+            Merryland.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/134.jpg" alt="Dolls">
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/135.jpg" alt="Dolls">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It was not their fault," she said, "but when I
+            consulted my thinking machine I found I must do one of
+            two things&mdash;either turn them into dolls by means
+            of my fairy wand, or else adopt them as my children.
+            They seem so much bigger and prettier than dolls that I
+            have decided to adopt them, so I have called all my
+            people in to witness my act."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The servants of the household loudly applauded this
+            speech, and one of the chambermaids clapped her hands
+            so earnestly that she broke off one of her little
+            fingers.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Dot Freeland," now said the Queen, in a solemn voice,
+            "kneel down upon my footstool."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot was a little frightened, for never before had she
+            heard the Queen speak in any voice but a laughing one;
+            but she knelt down obediently, and the Queen placed
+            upon her head a small golden crown with four points,
+            each point being tipped with a flashing gem. Then the
+            Queen said:
+        </p>
+        <p class="poem">
+            <i>Thou art made a Princess now<br>
+            By this crown upon thy brow;<br>
+            All must bow to thy command,<br>
+            Who reside in Merryland;<br>
+            And my daughter thou shalt be,<br>
+            Living long and happily.<br>
+            Rise, my Princess, fair and sweet,<br>
+            At my right hand take thy seat.</i>
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot rose at once and sat on the Queen's right hand,
+            while all the household applauded again; but this time
+            the china chambermaids were more careful of their
+            fingers. The girl longed to take off her pretty crown
+            and look at it, but she felt it might not be dignified
+            to do so; therefore she sat quietly, as a princess
+            should, while Tot in turn knelt upon the Queen's
+            footstool.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/136.jpg" alt="A chambermaid" align=
+            "right">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The fairy doll placed upon Tot's head a crown almost
+            exactly like the one Dot wore, saying to him in her
+            gentle voice:
+        </p>
+        <p class="poem">
+            <i>By this crown I give to thee,<br>
+            I, the Queen, hereby decree,<br>
+            Thou shalt be a princeling grand<br>
+            In our happy Merryland.<br>
+            Purest joy shall be thy lot,<br>
+            All thy troubles be forgot;<br>
+            Rise, Prince Tot, for thou shalt be<br>
+            Loving son henceforth to me!</i>
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot shoved the crown to the back of his head, where he
+            usually wore his hat, and seated himself at the Queen's
+            left hand.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The assembled household now cheered loudly and long,
+            and in the midst of the uproar the wooden Captain
+            entered at the head of the pewter band, and the
+            musicians blew upon their instruments so powerfully
+            that the big throne room was filled with music.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            All this was decidedly pleasing to Princess Dot and
+            Prince Tot, who felt very proud of themselves and most
+            grateful to the generous Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Scollops and Twinkle now served lavender-colored ices
+            to those present at the Ceremony of Adoption, and the
+            pewter band finished playing and marched away again.
+            Then the Queen took Dot and Tot to the drawing room of
+            the palace, where the children had leisure to thank her
+            and to admire their pretty crowns. The Wax Doll smiled
+            sweetly upon them, and seemed quite as pleased as her
+            adopted children at the success of the ceremony.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Presently Dot asked, "Does no one live in those pretty
+            houses in the village?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, Princess," answered her Majesty; "they are full
+            of people."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But we have seen no one except the dolls who live in
+            this palace," remarked the child.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/138.jpg" alt="Tot is made a prince">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That is true," returned the Queen, "for I have been so
+            busy since your arrival that I have not had a chance to
+            awaken them."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Are they all asleep?" asked Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well, not exactly asleep," answered the Queen; "but
+            they are dolls, like all the rest of us in this Valley,
+            and they only move around and talk when I bring them to
+            life by means of my fairy wand. At one time I kept them
+            alive continually, but it was such a bother to manage
+            them all that I changed my plans, and now I let them
+            lie in their houses until I wish to amuse myself with
+            their pranks. I have only to wave my fairy wand three
+            times and blow my magic whistle to arouse the whole
+            village to activity. But then I always have my hands
+            full trying to make them behave properly."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That seems a nice way to rule," said Dot,
+            thoughtfully. "If every king and queen were able to do
+            the same thing with their people, there could not be so
+            much quarreling nor so many wars."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "True enough," laughed the Queen; "but real, live
+            people would not like to be treated that way. Would you
+            like to see my village wake up?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, indeed!" exclaimed Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then I will order our carriages so we may drive down
+            to the village."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The Queen called Scollops and sent him for three
+            carriages "For," she said to Dot and Tot, "there is
+            just enough room in the royal carriage for me, and as
+            there are no bigger ones in the Valley, we must each
+            ride in a separate carriage."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            It was not long before the three carriages, each drawn
+            by horses standing upon wheeled platforms, and driven
+            by rag doll coachmen dressed in the royal livery of
+            pink and blue drew up before the gate of the palace.
+            Dot had hard work to squeeze into the seat of her
+            vehicle, and when she succeeded she had some fears that
+            it would tip over, or the wheels would come off the
+            horses. But Tot, being smaller, fit his carriage
+            nicely, and being younger and a boy, he had no fears of
+            any accidents.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So now the drivers cracked their whips and away they
+            rolled, the Queen first, Dot next and Tot last of all.
+            When they reached the main street of the village, the
+            three carriages drew up near the sidewalk, all in a
+            row, and the Queen said:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Now I will awaken the people."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She waved the fairy wand three times around her head
+            and blew a shrill blast upon the magic whistle.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/140.jpg" alt="Doors begin to open">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Instantly a commotion arose all about them. Doors and
+            windows began to open, and from the houses flocked many
+            dolls of all sorts and sizes. There were china, bisque,
+            wooden, papier-mach&eacute;, rag and rubber dolls, with
+            yellow hair, red and brown and white hair, and
+            complexions ranging from the daintiest pink to the
+            deepest black. Some were finely dressed, some well
+            dressed and some shabbily dressed; but all seemed and
+            light-hearted, and they ran about singing and dancing
+            chatting to each other as happily as if they had not
+            been asleep for so long a time by their Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I don't understand how you can make dolls act like
+            real people," said Dot, as she watched them with
+            wonder.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No, I suppose not," replied her Majesty. "But if you
+            were a fairy, as I am, you would know all about it."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/141.jpg" alt="The Queen">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The Queen now left her seat in the carriage and entered
+            a pretty little cottage that stood near by. Dot
+            followed to doorway and, peeping in, saw that this
+            entire cottage was occupied by an enormous music box.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'll make it play," said the Queen, "for my dolls love
+            to dance to the music."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Thereupon she touched a spring, and at once strains of
+            delightful melody came from the big music box.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot hastened outside again and found the street filled
+            with dolls, who were dancing joyously to the bewitching
+            music. After watching them for a time in silence the
+            Queen said:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Now they have had enough fun for one day, so I will
+            send them to sleep again."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She waved her wand once and the music stopped playing.
+            The dolls stopped dancing and began to say good-night
+            to one another. A second time the Queen waved her wand
+            above her head, and then every doll hurried to its own
+            home, and the doors and windows began to close again.
+            But Dot and Tot could hear the dolls laughing and
+            talking in the houses until the Queen waved her wand
+            for the third and last time, when silence fell on the
+            village, and her Majesty turned to the children and
+            said:
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/142.jpg" alt="Dancing dolls">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Now they are fast asleep again, and will remain so
+            until I choose to awaken them."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "They are lovely dolls," said Dot, sighing to think the
+            entertainment was ended, "and I should love to play
+            with them all day long."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Sometimes I have kept them awake all day myself,"
+            replied the Queen; "but that is when I am lonely and
+            need amusement. No one can be dull while those
+            laughing, romping, mischievous dolls are awake. But I
+            must have a talk with my new Prince and Princess this
+            evening, so I could devote but little time to my
+            people, and only awakened them to satisfy your
+            curiosity."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Can't I have a doll to keep?" asked Tot, as they drove
+            back to the palace.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, my dear Prince," answered the Queen. "I'll give
+            you Scollops. You will find him very useful and a jolly
+            playmate."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot nodded his thanks, and soon they reached the palace
+            and accompanied the Queen to her room. When all were
+            seated the Wax Doll said, "Tomorrow I must leave you
+            here alone, for I am going upon a journey."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Where to?" enquired Dot, greatly surprised at this
+            announcement.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/144.jpg" align="left" alt=
+            "The Watch-Dog">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I shall go up the river to the end of Merryland, where
+            you entered the First Valley. Since you have found a
+            way to enter my kingdom from the big outside world, I
+            have been greatly worried for fear others would also
+            come here. To prevent this I must visit the Watch-Dog
+            of Merryland, and tell him how to keep anyone from
+            passing the archway."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, the Watch-Dog cannot keep people out," said Dot.
+            "He's too polite and good-natured. When we said we
+            would not mind him he was sorry, but he didn't try to
+            stop us."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "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."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, I see," said Dot. "Then the Watch-Dog may be of
+            some use, after all."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I hope so," declared the Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But what shall we do while you are away?" asked the
+            girl, anxiously.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "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."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That's nice," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            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.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            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.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            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.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/146.jpg" alt="Dot and Tot">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="13"><img src="images/147a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Thirteen&mdash;The Revolt of the Dolls"></a><br>
+
+            <img src="images/147b.jpg" alt="D" align="left">ot and
+            Tot awoke early, but the sun was already flooding the
+            palace with its silver rays, and they made haste to
+            dress and join the Queen at breakfast.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            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.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "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."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "May I ask a favor?" said Dot, timidly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Certainly, Princess; ask whatever you will," returned
+            the Queen, as she threw a scarlet cloak over her
+            shoulders and prepared to start.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "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.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            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."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, thank you ever so much!" cried Dot, gratefully.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            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.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            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:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I am going to borrow your boat, for it will be the
+            easiest way for me to reach the Valley of the
+            Watch-Dog."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But you can never row it up stream," said Dot; "and
+            there is but one oar."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/149.jpg" alt="The Queen in the boat">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, I shall not need the oars at all," responded the
+            Wax Doll, and seated herself in the boat.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Do you know," said the girl, "that you have not yet
+            told us your name?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Didn't I tell you yesterday?" returned the Queen, as
+            if surprised.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No, indeed," said the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "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."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We shall enjoy them," replied Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The Queen now waved her fairy wand and at once the boat
+            glided from the shore.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Good-bye, your Majesty!" cried Dot and Tot together.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Swiftly the boat floated up the stream&mdash;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.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            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:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Start the music box! We want to dance."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I do not know how. The Queen has the key with her,"
+            answered Dot, shouting loudly that she might be heard
+            above the tumult.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The dolls seemed greatly disappointed at this, and one
+            saucy-looking wooden-jointed doll said crossly:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "The Queen has no right to go away and take the key.
+            How are we to amuse ourselves all day unless we can
+            dance?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Tot and I will play with you," answered Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Very well," said a big China doll which wore a rather
+            soiled and ragged dress. "What new games do you know?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot mentioned several; but the dolls laughed at her,
+            crying out: "That's old! We're tired of that! Give us
+            something new!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "The old games are very nice games," said the girl,
+            "and I do not see why you should object to playing
+            them."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/151.jpg" alt="The dolls object">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We'll object if we want to!" declared a worn-looking
+            kid doll, whose joints were so ripped that they
+            scattered sawdust whenever it moved. "You're not our
+            Queen."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But I'm your Princess," said Dot, with dignity, "and
+            while the Queen is away I have the right to rule in
+            this Valley."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "So have I," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then rule!" shouted the saucy wooden doll. "Rule as
+            the Queen does, and give us music to dance by."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes! yes!" they all cried. "We want to dance!" And
+            they flung their arms over their heads, and leaped and
+            pranced so energetically that the ground was quite
+            strewn with sawdust that leaked out of them.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot was much troubled at the noisy demands of the
+            dolls. She had expected a quiet and happy day playing
+            with these pretty creatures, and now, even in the first
+            hour of their awakening, they were proving very
+            troublesome. Tot seemed to enjoy the excitement,
+            however, and stood behind Dot, with his hands in his
+            pockets, smiling gleefully.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            While she was thinking what was best to be done, the
+            rag doll Scollops came up to Dot and said:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Since the music box is locked up, why do you not order
+            out the pewter band to play for them?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That is a good idea," she exclaimed, her face
+            brightening. "Go at once, Scollops and tell the
+            musicians to come and play."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            While Scollops was on this errand the dolls became more
+            noisy than ever, and one of them tried to knock Tot's
+            crown off. But the boy gave the naughty doll such a
+            strong push that he pushed over a dozen or more that
+            stood behind it.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/153.jpg" alt=
+            "One of them tried to knock Tot's crown off">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Don't hurt them, Tot," said the girl; "remember they
+            are not strong and will break easily."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'll smash 'em if they touch me!" cried the boy,
+            indignantly; "I'm Prince Tot."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Fortunately, the pewter band now made its appearance,
+            and at Dot's command they stood in a circle at one edge
+            of the road and began to play a waltz.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The effect of the music upon the dolls was laughable.
+            They immediately began waltzing around as merrily as
+            could be, and paid no further attention to Dot and Tot.
+            While they danced the dolls kept up a continual
+            chattering and laughter, and they looked so sweet and
+            happy that the children could hardly realize they had
+            been so cross and unreasonable a short time before.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "If they are kept busy they won't get into mischief,"
+            said Scollops, who had come back with the band; "but
+            even her Majesty the Queen cannot manage them when they
+            have nothing to amuse themselves with. I'm a doll
+            myself and I know."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What does she do when they are naughty?" asked Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "She puts them to sleep," was the answer.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot had almost regretted asking the Queen to leave the
+            village dolls awake all day; but she loved to watch
+            them dance, and they seemed quite contented now.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Don't they ever remain quiet, and visit with each
+            other, and rest?" asked the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Never," replied Scollops. "They always are unhappy
+            unless they are rushing around or playing or dancing."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "They wouldn't make very comfortable playmates, would
+            they, Tot?" she said.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No," he answered, gravely; "don't like live dolls."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            But it amused them to watch the little creatures
+            capering about, so the children sat down upon a
+            door-step and enjoyed the dancing until Twinkle came to
+            tell them their luncheon was ready. Then they quietly
+            stole away, unnoticed by the dolls, and walked to the
+            palace, where they had a delightful luncheon and were
+            waited upon by Scollops and Twinkle.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            While they were yet at the table they suddenly heard a
+            great noise and clamor at the palace gate, so they at
+            once ran out to see what was the matter. Crowding
+            before the gates was an excited throng of dolls,
+            screaming and stamping and waving their hands in the
+            air as if they had really become crazy.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            At first Dot could make nothing of their cries, for all
+            were talking at the same time; but she asked Twinkle
+            what the trouble was about and the maid answered:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "The musicians must have stopped playing."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I wonder why they did that," said the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Here Scollops, who had been down to the gate and spoken
+            to the dolls, came up to Dot, bringing with him the
+            leader of the pewter band.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/155.jpg" alt="An angry doll">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What caused this trouble?" she asked.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "They are so unreasonable," replied the musician, in a
+            complaining voice, "that no one can manage them except
+            the Queen. We had played dance music for several hours
+            and were all tired out, for our lungs are only pewter,
+            and no true musician likes to play such common music
+            continually. So we thought we would rest ourselves by
+            playing something slow and really classical&mdash;for
+            all classical music is slow, you know. But no sooner
+            had we started the introduction than those soulless
+            dolls became violent. They rushed at my poor musicians,
+            threw them down, and trampled upon them! Every member
+            of my band is either bent or broken. Even I have a bent
+            back and a twisted leg, and my horn is badly damaged."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot looked at him and saw that he spoke truly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'm very sorry," she said, nervously. "I'm sure I
+            don't know what to do with them, for the Queen will not
+            return before sundown."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The dolls had remained outside the palace gates until
+            now; but as Dot looked anxiously toward them, the gate
+            flew open and one of the rebellious creatures ran up
+            the path to where the children stood. She was dressed
+            in a rather fussy way, and had big black eyes that
+            stared straight at one. Her hair was tangled and
+            matted, and she had lost one shoe and worn a great hole
+            in her stocking, through which her toes peeped out.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What do you want?" asked Dot, as this doll came near.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We want our dinner, of course," answered the doll,
+            saucily.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But I didn't know dolls could eat," said the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well we do, and now we want to be fed. Do you think it
+            is right and proper to keep us awake all day and then
+            refuse to give us any dinner?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What do you eat?" enquired Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What could a doll eat but sawdust? Nearly all of us
+            have danced more or less sawdust out of our bodies, and
+            now we want them filled up again," continued the doll.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But I have no sawdust, nor do I know where to get it,"
+            answered the child.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "The Queen has a house full of it in the village. Give
+            us the key and we will help ourselves," said the doll.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "The Queen must have taken the key with her," returned
+            Dot, helplessly; "I know nothing about it."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then we shall break down the door," declared the doll,
+            and stamping her feet with anger she rushed back to her
+            companions.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            When they learned that the Queen had carried away the
+            key to the sawdust house the dolls became much excited
+            and ran off with loud shouts to tear down the door of
+            the house.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/158.jpg" alt="Loud shouts">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot was both vexed and worried, for Twinkle declared
+            the Queen would be much provoked if her pretty house
+            was battered and broken.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Let's call out the army," exclaimed Tot, suddenly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That's a good idea, Tot," said the girl, and at once
+            sent Scollops to order the pewter soldiers to march
+            into the village and preserve order. But the rag boy
+            soon returned with the news that the soldiers refused
+            to obey.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "They are not used to fighting," explained Scollops,
+            "and they fear the dolls will treat them as they did
+            the pewter band. Besides, they declare the Queen
+            detests fighting, and would blame them for interfering
+            with the people of the village."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "The soldiers are toys and the people are dolls," added
+            Twinkle; "so they sympathize with each other."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "They didn't seem to sympathize with the band," said
+            Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No, but the band had no right to play classical music
+            in public."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Perhaps you are right," said Dot, thoughtfully.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She saw now that she must let the naughty dolls have
+            their own way; but she went down the street with Tot
+            and Scollops and watched the crowd break down the door
+            of the house. They took away quantities of the Queen's
+            sawdust and carried it to their homes, where they made
+            it into pies and cakes and feasted merrily upon this
+            queer food.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            This gave them something to do and made them happy for
+            a while, and Dot was profoundly grateful for a period
+            of rest and quiet; but she feared the dolls would break
+            forth into more mischief before the day passed, and so
+            it proved.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/159.jpg" alt="The dolls">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            For toward evening they again became restless, and as
+            there was no music to be had they decided to make some
+            of their own. So they gathered up a lot of tin pans for
+            drums and pot covers for cymbals, and several of the
+            dolls got combs and put paper over them. When they blew
+            upon these combs and hummed a tune it sounded almost
+            like music; so they formed a procession, with the doll
+            musicians at the head of it, and marched all over the
+            village, singing loudly:
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/160.jpg" alt="Musicians">
+        </p>
+        <p class="poem">
+            <i>Tum, tum&mdash;tum!<br>
+            Tum, tum&mdash;tum!<br>
+            Here comes the band with a tin-pan drum;<br>
+            Here come the cymbals, clangety-clang!<br>
+            Here come the combs with their twang, twang, twang!<br>
+            Here come the marchers, happy and gay,<br>
+            Strangers must keep out of our way!<br>
+            Tum, tum&mdash;tum!<br>
+            Tum, tum&mdash;tum!<br>
+            Clatter the cymbals and bang the drum!</i>
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/161.jpg" alt="Musicians">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They marched up to the palace gate and back again, and
+            when they came to the house in which was the big music
+            box, one of the cried:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Let us break the door down and start the music!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Good, we will!" screamed some of the most mischievous
+            dolls.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What do we care for the Queen?" yelled others.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They made a rush for the house, and Dot, now angry and
+            determined that the Queen's music box should not be
+            spoiled, ran to the door and placed her back against
+            it, while she cried out, "If any of you dare to come
+            nearer I will whip you soundly!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The dolls hung back at this, but they threw a shower of
+            tin pans and combs and pot covers at her, which rattled
+            against the house, but did not hurt her a bit.
+            Suddenly, amidst all this riot and turmoil, the girl
+            was amazed to see every doll become silent and
+            motionless. They ran in all directions to their homes,
+            and as the street became clear Dot saw, standing there
+            alone, the Queen of Merryland, who was waving for the
+            third and last time the fairy wand which would put
+            every doll in the village fast asleep.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, your Majesty!" cried the girl, running to her,
+            "I'm so glad you've come home again!"
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="14"><img src="images/163a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Fourteen&mdash;The Queen's Fairy Wand"></a><br>
+
+            <img src="images/163b.jpg" alt="Y" align="left">ou see,
+            Princess," said the Queen, when they were safely within
+            the palace, "it is rather dangerous to leave the dolls
+            awake while I am away. I feared, after I had started,
+            you might have trouble with them, and so hurried back
+            as soon as I could. Did they frighten you?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "A little," said Dot, "for they would not be quiet an
+            instant."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No; that is the way with dolls. If one wishes to take
+            any comfort with them they must be kept asleep. Then we
+            can love them and play with them as much as we desire,
+            but while they are awake they are sure to cause no end
+            of trouble."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'll keep my dolls asleep," said Tot, with decision.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes," agreed the girl, "they are nicer that way. But
+            did you see the Watch-Dog of Merryland?" she asked the
+            Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, indeed; and I told him just how to block up the
+            archway if any more strangers appeared," was the
+            answer.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Was he countin' his whiskers?" asked Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Not when I arrived. I think he was playing with a
+            piece of jelly cake."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, yes," said the girl. "Tot gave it to him."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The Queen was silent for a time, and appeared to be
+            thinking without her machine, which made the girl
+            anxious. But finally her Majesty said, "Now that I have
+            looked after the safety of my first three Valleys, I
+            feel I should visit the last three, for it has been
+            years since I have entered them."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Can't we go with you?" asked Dot, eagerly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I cannot answer that question now, for I have not
+            consulted my thinking machine, without which I never
+            make an important move, but I will let you know in the
+            morning."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot and Tot were all excitement after that to know what
+            the thinking machine would advise, for they were
+            curious to see the remaining Valleys of this wonderful
+            country. But the Queen said no more about the journey
+            that evening, and devoted herself to entertaining them
+            in such a pretty and modest way that they grew to love
+            the big Wax Doll very dearly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Before breakfast the next morning, however, they asked
+            what her thinking machine had said, and she at once
+            replied:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You may, if you wish, go with me to visit the other
+            Valleys. Since you are my adopted children and a Prince
+            and Princess of Merryland, it is right you should know
+            all about your own country; therefore we will make the
+            journey together."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That's lovely!" cried Dot, with delight. "When shall
+            we start?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Whenever you please," answered the Queen. "As you seem
+            so anxious, we may as well start after breakfast."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Good!" exclaimed Tot, who was already busily eating;
+            "I'm ready."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So, breakfast being finished, they all walked down to
+            the river, wearing their golden crowns and feeling
+            happy at the prospect of new adventures.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They found the boat lying beside the steps outside the
+            wall, and the wooden soldiers who were on guard saluted
+            them respectfully as they seated themselves and made
+            ready to start. The Queen sat in the middle of the
+            boat, with Dot at one end and Tot at the other. But now
+            they were not obliged to wait for the slow current to
+            carry them along.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            For when the pretty Queen waved her fairy wand around
+            her golden head, the boat shot out from the shore and
+            glided swiftly toward the rocky arch that led to the
+            Fifth Valley of Merryland. This they reached in a few
+            minutes and passed quickly through, while Dot and Tot
+            looked eagerly ahead to see what the Fifth Valley was
+            like.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/166.jpg" alt=
+            "Our friends leave to go to the Fifth Valley">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            It seemed very quiet as it lay under the rays of the
+            morning sun, and at first the children thought the
+            Valley resembled one of the quiet country scenes at
+            home. For nothing remarkable met their eyes, and they
+            felt rather relieved at the contrast between this and
+            the wonderful Toy Valley they had just left.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Yet Dot soon decided the place was inhabited, for they
+            came to a queer looking group of buildings standing
+            near the shore. These could not be seen clearly at
+            first, but the boat drew nearer every moment, and
+            finally the Queen waved her fairy wand and some magic
+            power carried them quickly to the shore at a spot near
+            to the buildings.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/167.jpg" alt="A soldier" align="left">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The children sprang out upon the grass, and then they
+            could see better what these strange houses looked like.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            All the buildings were exactly alike, and stood about
+            as high as a tall man. In shape they were square, with
+            a flat roof, but around each roof was a stout railing.
+            There were no windows at all, and each house had but
+            one door, which was placed in the center, halfway
+            between the floor and the roof. Even this was more a
+            doorway than a door, being nothing but a square hole,
+            with a broad shelf projecting outside and inside the
+            bottom of the opening.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The entire group of buildings was painted a pure white,
+            but underneath each hole, or doorway, was a big, black
+            number. The house nearest the river on the left side
+            was number 1, and the one on the right side was number
+            47; yet the houses were not laid out into streets, but
+            stood here and there upon the smooth lawn, without any
+            attempt at order or regularity.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well, how do you like this Valley?" asked the Queen,
+            with a laugh as she saw Dot and Tot looking at the
+            queer place with sober faces.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "The houses seem very odd&mdash;if they are houses,"
+            replied Dot. Then she enquired: "Who lives in them?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "King Felis lives in number 1," said the Queen. "At
+            least, he did several years ago when I last visited
+            him. I will now call him, that I may introduce you to
+            his Majesty."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Thereupon she gave a shrill whistle, and a moment later
+            a great Maltese pussycat sprang upon the shelf of the
+            doorway at number 1 and sat there for an instant
+            crouched, with its ears pointing into the air and its
+            big yellow eyes gazing steadily at the visitors. Then
+            the pussy leaped lightly to the ground, and standing
+            upon its rear legs before the Queen, he bobbed his head
+            solemnly up and down and said, "Welcome, Queen of
+            Merryland, to the Valley of Pussycats!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I thank you, King Felis," responded the Wax Doll
+            sweetly. "But permit me to introduce to you my adopted
+            children, Princess Dot and Prince Tot of Merryland."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The big pussy looked at the children with surprise, but
+            nodded his head politely.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "The Prince and Princess seem like people from the big,
+            outside world," he said, with a wise look; and then he
+            turned to Dot and asked:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Do you pull the tails of pussycats?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, no!" exclaimed the girl, who was just then
+            admiring the beauty of the cat King as well as his
+            ability to speak.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Or pinch their ears?" he continued.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Never!" declared Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I did&mdash;once," remarked Tot, composedly. "An' it
+            yelled."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/169.jpg" alt="King Felis">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The big kitty looked at the boy gravely and said:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Should you do such a thing in this Valley I would ask
+            the Queen to send you away at once. It is really a
+            wicked amusement, for it hurts a pussy as much as if
+            someone should pinch your own ears."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "All right," remarked Tot. "I'll be good."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You will find my adopted children both kind and
+            gentle," said the Queen; "so pray do not fear them,
+            King Felis."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Your Majesty rules all Merryland," he replied; "and
+            your children shall be as welcome in our Valley as
+            yourself. But I must call my people, that they may pay
+            their respects to your Majesty."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Where are they?" asked Tot, who had been looking
+            around and could see no other living thing than the big
+            Maltese.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "At this time of day they are asleep, as all good
+            pussycats should be," was the King's answer. "The sun
+            is warm and pleasant just now, and my people are
+            enjoying their mid-day naps."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/170.jpg" alt="Tot and the Cat King">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            He then lifted his voice and uttered a loud, wailing
+            cry.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Scarcely had it died away when the pussys began to
+            appear. They leaped from the roofs of the houses, from
+            the doorways, and even from among the shady clumps of
+            long grass. Every house added six or seven to the
+            number, and soon hundreds of pussycats were standing
+            before the Queen, bowing gracefully and crying,
+            "Welcome, your Majesty!" in all sorts of voices.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They were plump and comfortable looking, and Dot had no
+            idea there were so many kinds and colors of pussys in
+            the world. Some had long, silky hair, and some short,
+            velvety hair; some had long, bushy tails, some short
+            tails and some no tails at all. They were white and
+            black, blue and gray, yellow and red, speckled and
+            tortoise-shell in color. Some had pretty ribbons around
+            their necks and some of the older ones wore spectacles;
+            but all were as neat as wax, and seemed well cared for.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/171.jpg" alt="Cats">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The big King was the largest of them all; yet there
+            were many various sizes, down to the tiniest kittens
+            with their eyes just open.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            When all this array of pussys had saluted the Queen
+            they sat down upon the grass and began to purr, while
+            some indulged in a yawn behind their paws and others
+            commenced to wash their faces; for they had just been
+            aroused from a long nap.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Your people seem happy and contented, King Felis,"
+            remarked the Queen, when she had looked them over
+            carefully.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/172.jpg" alt="Cats">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, yes; they are thriving finely," replied the
+            Maltese King. "But why should they not? They have no
+            troubles nor cares, and pass their lives in eating and
+            sleeping. With comfortable homes and plenty of food
+            they cannot help being the happiest pussycats in the
+            big round world."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I should think not, indeed," said the Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But now you must permit me to offer you the
+            hospitality of my house," said the King. "It is nearly
+            dinner time, and you will wish to rest and eat. Our
+            houses are not very large, so I must divide your party
+            and place you in separate families. The boy will be
+            cared for by my cousin Tabby, who lives at number 16.
+            The girl I will place with Uncle Palladius, who lives
+            at number 9. And your Majesty will, I trust, partake of
+            the hospitality of my humble home." And he bowed again,
+            very politely.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We accept your kindness with much pleasure and many
+            thanks," answered the Queen; and then she whispered to
+            Dot and Tot not to be afraid, for the pussys would
+            treat them with great courtesy.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/173.jpg" alt="Tot and cats">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="15"><img src="images/175a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Fifteen&mdash;The Valley of Pussycats"></a><br>
+
+            <img src="images/175b.jpg" alt="T" align="left">ot
+            wasn't a bit frightened when a gentle looking pussy of
+            uncertain age came up to him and said:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I am Cousin Tabby, and as you are to be my guest
+            please follow me to number 16."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boy laughed at the idea of entering a cat's house,
+            but he walked after the softly-moving pussy, who, when
+            she reached number 16, sprang upon the shelf and said:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Climb in, please."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/176.jpg" alt="Tot climbs" align=
+            "right">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            This was hard work, for the shelf was nearly as high as
+            his chin. But Tot had already learned to climb the
+            trees at home, so he managed in some way to pull
+            himself up, with the result that he lost his balance
+            and fell head foremost inside the house.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            To his surprise he alighted on a soft cushion, and then
+            he scrambled quickly to his feet and looked around him.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The room was dimly lighted by the square doorway, but
+            after his eyes got accustomed to the twilight he saw
+            that upon the floor was a soft carpet, while big
+            cushions lay around in every direction. At the side of
+            the room was a long, low table, not higher than Tot's
+            knee, and standing in a row upon this table were four
+            white bowls. There was a cupboard in one corner, a big
+            fireplace at the end of the room, and in a second
+            corner two little gray kittens lay asleep upon a
+            cushion.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            While the boy looked at these things there sprang
+            through the doorway another gray kitten, older and
+            larger than the others, and Mrs. Tabby said, politely:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "This is my niece, Miss Flitter, who lives with me; and
+            these two little ones, who were too young to go and
+            welcome the Queen, belong to Mrs. Mewling. She has such
+            a large family that I have adopted these children, for
+            my house is much too large for myself and Flitter."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh," returned Tot, who was rather bewildered. Then, as
+            Cousin Tabby seemed to expect some further reply, he
+            added: "all right."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Now, if you will please make yourself comfortable,"
+            continued the pussy, in a soft, purring voice, "I will
+            get our dinner ready."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She took a white apron from the peg near the fireplace
+            and tied it around her waist. Then she placed another
+            bowl on the table for Tot, and busied herself about the
+            work while the boy lay on the soft carpet and stroked
+            the silk-like fur of the two gray kittens.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            While Tot was being thus entertained, Dot was led by
+            Uncle Palladius to number 9, where he lived. Uncle
+            Palladius was a great black pussy, and was one of those
+            who wore spectacles, giving him a comical appearance.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/177.jpg" alt="Mrs. Mewling">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot had harder work than Tot to climb through the
+            square doorway of the house, but she succeeded after a
+            struggle and was pleased with the cozy appearance of
+            the room.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Uncle Palladius was the head of a large family, and as
+            strangers were rare in their Valley they all gathered
+            around the girl and looked at her curiously, while one
+            pure white kitten came softly up and rubbed its back
+            against Dot's leg. She stooped down, and picking up the
+            pretty kitten snuggled it close in her arms and gently
+            caressed it. Then she sat down upon a cushion, while
+            the other kittens gathered around her or stretched
+            themselves lazily upon the carpet near by.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            All this delighted the girl, for she was especially
+            fond of pussycats, although her invalid mother did not
+            like them and had always declared she "would not have a
+            cat in the house."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So the child had often longed in vain for a pet of this
+            kind, and was now very happy to be able to play with so
+            many.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            She leaned down and pressed her cheek against the white
+            kitten, while she whispered: "You sweet little
+            darling!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I've got a new ribbon," said the kitten, proudly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "So I see," replied Dot, who had noticed this. Then she
+            asked:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "How old are you, dear?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It's pink," said the white kitty.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What is pink?" enquired the child.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "My ribbon."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, yes. But tell me," she added "is Uncle Palladius
+            your father, or your grandfather?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It's got a bow-knot on it," purred the kitten softly,
+            with half closed eyes.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What has a bow-knot on it?" asked Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "My ribbon."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, dear; but we'll talk of something else," said the
+            girl. "Are all these other kitties your sisters and
+            brothers?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Mamma gave it to me," sang the white kitten,
+            contentedly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Gave you what, dear?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "My ribbon."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/179.jpg" alt=
+            "Dot talks with the kitten">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Don't mind her," said another of the pussys, in a
+            rather contemptuous voice; "it's her first ribbon, and
+            she's so vain she can think of nothing else. Put her
+            down and take one of us; we can talk to you in a
+            sensible way."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well, let us talk, then," said the child, but she
+            still held the vain kitten cuddled in her arms&mdash;it
+            was so soft and pretty, she thought. "Tell me about
+            Uncle Palladius."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "He is our grandfather," said one that had white fur
+            with big black spots scattered over it, and which,
+            moreover, presented a curious appearance, because one
+            eye was surrounded by a black spot and the other by
+            pure white fur.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Uncle Palladius is very old and wise, and is uncle to
+            half the pussys in our Valley. Our mother, who is named
+            Snowball, lives with him, as he has at present no
+            family of his own."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Here is mother, now!" cried another kitten, and Dot
+            looked up and saw a pussy entering the room that was by
+            far the most beautiful she had ever seen. Snowball was
+            large and very graceful, and her fur was the purest
+            white, without a black mark anywhere. She sat down near
+            Dot and asked: "Have my children been bothering you?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, no!" declared Dot; "they are the loveliest pussys
+            in the world."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Snowball smiled in a gratified way.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I think, myself," she said, "that no house has a
+            prettier or lazier lot of kittens than number 9. We can
+            outsleep any other family I know of, and when it comes
+            to our midnight concerts Uncle Palladius' voice is so
+            strong it can be heard above all the rest."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What are these midnight concerts like?" asked the
+            girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, they are wonderfully entertaining," answered
+            Snowball, "and I wish you could hear one of them.
+            Perhaps you have noticed the railings around the roofs
+            of our houses. Well, in the middle of the night we all
+            sit upon these railings and have a grand concert. There
+            are no people to throw stones or bootjacks at us, so we
+            enjoy ourselves immensely. The house that can produce
+            the loudest chorus, with the most varied sound, is
+            considered the most aristocratic in the Valley, and I
+            am proud to say that Uncle Palladius and I have the
+            reputation of fully holding our own."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/181.jpg" alt="Midnight concerts">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, yes!" spoke up Uncle Palladius, in a deep, bass
+            voice; "I flatter myself I can be heard throughout the
+            whole Valley."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But the kittens cannot jump to the roofs of the
+            houses, can they?" asked Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No, indeed," replied Snowball; "only those who are old
+            enough and strong enough to jump to the roofs are
+            considered worthy to take part in the concerts. But the
+            little ones have the pleasure of lying inside before
+            the fire and listening to us."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Do you have fires?" enquired the child.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes; we consider nothing more cozy and comfortable
+            than lying before a glowing grate fire. When the
+            evenings are chilly there is a fire in every house, and
+            we pussys lie before it upon our cushions and enjoy its
+            warmth. Usually we sleep all day long, and most of the
+            night, except during the concert, which lasts from
+            midnight until dawn."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You must enjoy yourselves very much," said Dot,
+            earnestly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, we do, indeed!" replied the white pussycat; "but I
+            see that dinner is now ready, so please come to the
+            table."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The girl walked toward the low table with some
+            curiosity to know how these pussys ate, and what they
+            had for food. She found a row of white bowls sitting
+            upon a white cloth, and each bowl was filled with fresh
+            milk. At the ends of the table were plates of light
+            bread with deep brown crusts.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The kittens all brought cushions to the sides of the
+            table and sat upon them, their heads being then just
+            high enough to reach the bowls. Dot was placed at one
+            end of the table, with Snowball at her right hand, and
+            Uncle Palladius sat at the other end.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Where do you get such nice milk?" asked the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We have several springs in the Valley," answered
+            Snowball, "where it bubbles up constantly."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "And where do you get the bread?" Dot next enquired.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That grows upon the tall trees you see scattered
+            about. We climb the bread-trees every day and gather
+            fresh loaves."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Don't you catch mice?" asked Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Mercy, no!" replied Snowball, in a horrified voice.
+            "Do you suppose mice would be foolish enough to come
+            into a Valley of Pussycats?"
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/183.jpg" alt="A cat rests">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No, I suppose not," replied the girl; "but I always
+            thought pussys liked mice."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I have never seen the horrid animals," returned the
+            white cat; "but there is a tradition in the Valley that
+            some of our forefathers found mice here at one time and
+            quickly destroyed them. They may have eaten them, for
+            all I know; no one can be certain what his forefathers
+            did. But none of us now living here has ever eaten
+            anything but bread and milk, of that I am positive."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It's such nice bread and milk," said Dot, "that I
+            should think you would prefer it to anything else."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We do, for there's nothing else to prefer," was the
+            answer.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            After dinner the kittens washed their faces carefully
+            and then all of them, accompanied by Dot, left the room
+            and walked to King Felis' house where they found Tot
+            and the Queen surrounded by a crowd of pussys.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, Dot!" cried Tot, when he saw the girl. "I held the
+            gray kittens after dinner, an' never dropped 'em once!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Was he good?" Dot asked Cousin Tabby. "Yes, he behaved
+            very nicely," answered Cousin Tabby. "We must now bid
+            our friends farewell," said the Queen, "for it is time
+            to proceed upon our journey."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So they returned to the boat, and all the pussys,
+            headed by King Felis and Uncle Palladius, went with
+            them and politely bade them good-bye.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            When they were floating in the river again the Queen
+            asked Dot, "How did you like the pussycats?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "They're lovely!" exclaimed the girl. "I should have
+            liked to stay all night with them."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well, I wouldn't," rejoined the Queen. "The last time
+            I passed the night in this Valley the pussys screamed
+            so loudly at their midnight concert that the noise
+            cracked my wax. They are much nicer to visit in the
+            daytime."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why is the King named Felis?" enquired Dot, after a
+            moment's thought.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Because that is the name of his race. All our names
+            have some meaning in Merryland," answered the Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/185.jpg" alt="Cats">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I suppose your own name has a meaning, if only we knew
+            what it was," said Dot, slyly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Good gracious!" cried the Queen; "haven't I told you
+            my name yet?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No," said Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then I must have forgotten that you asked it. It was
+            very stupid of me, and I assure you I didn't mean to be
+            rude." Then her Majesty turned to Tot and asked:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "How did you like the Valley of Pussys?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Fine!" said the boy. "The kitties were soft an' fuzzy,
+            an' the bread and milk was good. But the doors," he
+            added, solemnly, "are built too high up to be 'zactly
+            comf'table."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/186.jpg" alt="Cats">
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="16"><img src="images/187a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Sixteen&mdash;The Busy Mr. Split"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/187b.jpg" alt="W" align="left">hen the
+            boat entered the Sixth Valley of Merryland our voyagers
+            saw before them a forest of green trees growing close
+            down to the river bank. These were so thick that they
+            formed almost a solid wall, and they had passed halfway
+            through the Valley before they came to a small opening,
+            or path, running from the water's edge through the
+            forest. To this spot the Queen directed the boat, and
+            soon it grounded gently against a pebbly beach, and
+            they all stepped out and stood upon the narrow path.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Isn't there anything but trees here?" asked Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, indeed, there is a very pleasant country behind
+            the trees," answered the Wax Doll. "Follow me and I
+            will guide your steps."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So they followed the Queen slowly along the shady path,
+            while over their heads the branches met and sheltered
+            them from the rays of the afternoon sun. This was
+            gratefully appreciated by Dot and Tot, for they had
+            left their hats in the boat and wore only their golden
+            crowns.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            After walking a short distance the Queen stopped
+            suddenly&mdash;so suddenly that Dot nearly ran against
+            her and Tot bumped his nose upon Dot's shoulder.
+            Looking ahead to see what was the matter, the children
+            found lying across the path a bright green Alligator
+            nearly three feet long. Its back was scaly and made in
+            short lengths, which were jointed together in a
+            peculiar way.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            While Dot and Tot were trying to make up their minds
+            whether to be afraid or not, the Alligator turned his
+            head toward the Queen and said, gently:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Step on my middle, please!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "With pleasure," returned the Queen; and she placed one
+            of her kid slippers upon the middle of the Alligator's
+            back and stepped to the other side of him. As she did
+            so the pressure of her foot made a faint squeak, and
+            the Alligator sighed with delight. Then he turned his
+            head to Dot and repeated
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Step on my middle, please!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why?" asked the girl, hesitating.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "So I can hear my squeak, of course," answered the
+            Alligator. "If no one steps on me I might as well have
+            no squeak at all. It is now some years since I have
+            listened to the music of my squeak, but each day I have
+            crawled into this path as soon as I was wound up, for I
+            knew that sooner or later someone was sure to walk down
+            the path and tread on me. You look heavier than the
+            Queen, so perhaps I'll squeak louder."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/189.jpg" alt="The alligator">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Let Tot try it first," said Dot; "I'm afraid I'll
+            break you."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, don't worry, I've been used so little that I ought
+            to be in good condition," said the Alligator. But Tot
+            went first, and gave his foot a great push as he
+            stepped on the creature's body.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The squeak was so loud and shrill that the Alligator
+            laughed from pure joy, and cried, "Wasn't that
+            splendid? I believe I have the finest squeak in the
+            world! The person who made me knew his business all
+            right."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Who made you?" asked Dot, with quick interest.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            But instead of replying, the Alligator winked his left
+            eye at her three times and murmured softly, "Step on my
+            middle, please!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So Dot stepped upon his back, and being heavier than
+            Tot, the Alligator squeaked louder than before.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Thank you! Thank you very much!" he called, in a happy
+            voice. "I have never enjoyed myself so much since I was
+            made."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They walked on and left him smiling contentedly as he
+            lay across the path, and before many minutes they
+            reached a circular space of flat country where no trees
+            grew at all, although the forest surrounded it on every
+            side.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Around the edge of the clearing were wooden barns and
+            stables with their fronts wide open, showing stalls and
+            mangers and stabling for all kinds of toy animals. One
+            had a sign over the door reading "Fire Engine," and
+            another "Police Patrol." The stables were all about as
+            high as Dot's waist, and in some of them were toy
+            animals and stablemen, while others were entirely
+            empty.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            In the center of the space was a big merry-go-round,
+            having thirty-four animals in rows upon its edge, all
+            of which wore pretty saddles and bridles of bright red
+            and blue leather. There were lions, elephants, tigers,
+            deer, camels, horses, donkeys and several other
+            animals, all whirling around in pairs, while a
+            barrel-organ played sweet music. But no one was riding
+            on any of the animals.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Between the merry-go-round and the stables was a
+            narrow, iron railway track, built in a circle, around
+            which was rushing a big tin engine, drawing a gaily
+            painted train of tin cars, filled with tin passengers
+            that never moved a bit.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The rest of the opening in the forest was filled with
+            groups of animals of all sorts, some standing perfectly
+            still, some walking stiffly about, and others
+            pretending to eat grass, or slowly wagging their tails
+            from side to side and nodding their heads up and down.
+            Some were covered with real fur, while others were made
+            of tin or wood and painted in natural colors.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Near the spot where Dot and Tot were standing they
+            noticed a group of wooden rocking horses talking with
+            their heads together, while they rocked gently to and
+            fro upon their rockers. Back of them was one that had
+            broken its rocker and was lying upon its side in quite
+            a helpless condition.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Almost in front of their path stood a black, woolly
+            dancing bear upon one of its rear legs. It remained
+            perfectly motionless, and the Queen walked up to it and
+            asked:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Where is Mr. Split?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "He is in the forest winding up the panthers and in the
+            police patrol house oiling up the wagon, your Majesty,"
+            answered the dancing bear in a weak voice. "I've been
+            run down now for over three hours, and expected at
+            least half of Mr. Split to come long ago and start me
+            going again; but he seems especially busy this
+            morning."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, there is a great deal of work for him in the
+            Valley," said the Queen, thoughtfully; "there really
+            should be four of him."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "But he has only two arms when he is hooked together,"
+            returned the bear; "so there could not be more than two
+            parts of Mr. Split that could hold a key."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That is true," said the Queen. Then she looked up and
+            exclaimed. "Here comes Mr. Left Split now."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Hopping toward them with wonderful speed was the
+            queerest man the children had seen in all this queer
+            kingdom. He was not, in fact, a complete man, but just
+            half of a man, as if he had been cut in two from the
+            middle of his head straight downward. This left him one
+            ear, one eye, half of a nose and of a mouth, one arm
+            and one leg. He was dressed in a bright red suit and
+            carried in his hand a brass key.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Even&mdash;, Your Maj&mdash;," he cried out, as he
+            drew near. "Hap&mdash;see!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            He meant to say: "Good evening, your Majesty, I'm happy
+            to see you," but there being only half of him he spoke
+            but half of each word.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Good evening, Mr. Left Split," replied the Queen. "I
+            see you are as busy as ever."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Ind&mdash;am. Anim&mdash;al&mdash;get&mdash;out
+            ord&mdash;" By this he meant to say: "Indeed I am. The
+            animals are always getting out of order."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Please wind me up at once," said the dancing bear, in
+            a complaining tone; "I've been run down for three
+            hours."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Ver&mdash;sor&mdash;, but can't help," remarked Mr.
+            Left Split, cheerfully, meaning that he was very sorry.
+            He placed the key in a small hole at the back of the
+            bear's neck and wound it up tightly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            As soon as he withdrew the key the bear began to move
+            its head by slow jerks from side to side, and to rest
+            first upon one leg and then upon the other, as if it
+            were dancing.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That's better," it said, in a more pleasant voice; "I
+            ought to run now until sundown."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Just then the Queen exclaimed: "Here comes Mr. Right
+            Split," and the children looked up and saw the other
+            half of the split man coming out of the forest a short
+            distance away. He also had a key in his hand, but when
+            he saw the Queen and her companions he came hopping
+            toward them, saying in his jerky voice
+            "&mdash;Ning,&mdash;jesty!&mdash;Come our&mdash;ley."
+            By which he meant to say: "Good evening, your Majesty!
+            Welcome to our Valley." But being the right half of the
+            man he spoke on the right half of each word.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            As soon as he came up, however, there was an end of
+            this mode of speech, for the right half of Mr. Split
+            placed his flat side close to the left half's flat side
+            and then with both hands he hooked the two halves
+            together with little brass hooks. Then Mr. Split looked
+            more like a complete man, although the left side was
+            dressed in a bright red suit while the right side wore
+            white, so it was easy to see where he was joined
+            together.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            When he had fastened himself securely, which he did
+            with great rapidity, the man spoke, saying, "Your
+            Majesty has found us as busy as ever. The fact is,
+            these animals and cars and merry-go-rounds run down
+            very quickly, and they require so much attention that
+            this is the first time we have been hooked together
+            since early this morning. It is the same every day, but
+            I try to do my duty, and you will find this Valley in
+            good condition and everything properly cared for."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/195.jpg" alt="Mr. Split">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I am sure of that, Mr. Split," answered the Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot and Tot had been so astonished at all this that
+            they had stood perfectly still, and noticing this Mr.
+            Split came toward them with his key raised and said,
+            briskly:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Where are your key holes my dears? You must have run
+            down."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, no!" cried Dot, shrinking back; "We're&mdash;we're
+            alive!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, that is different," returned the man, with a
+            laugh. "I'm glad you are not to be wound up, for I am
+            so busy now that there ought to be three or four of me
+            instead of two."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You're funny," remarked Tot, who had been staring at
+            Mr. Split.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/196.jpg" alt="Mr. Split">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Thank you, sir," replied the man, bowing politely.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What are you made of?" asked the boy, curiously.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Wood, of course," answered the man. "Wood is the
+            strongest and best material for that purpose. My feet
+            are beech, my arms and legs are limbs of ash, my body
+            is pine and my heart is oak. As for my head, it is
+            mostly chestnut, although my hair is curly maple, my
+            eyes mahogany and my teeth hickory."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh!" said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You may notice my voice is very strong," continued the
+            man; "it is made of birch bark."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh!" said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "And my hands are made of the rubber tree so I can
+            wiggle my fingers easily and turn the keys to wind the
+            machinery."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh!" said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "If you had not told us this," remarked Dot, shyly, "we
+            should have thought you were made entirely of witch
+            hazel."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/197.jpg" alt="Mr. Split">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The Queen laughed at this, and said: "Now, Mr. Split,
+            if you will kindly gather some fruit and nuts from the
+            forest for our supper we will ride on the
+            merry-go-round until you return."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The man bowed and at once ran into the forest on his
+            errand, while Dot and Tot followed the Queen toward the
+            merry-go-round.
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="17"><img src="images/199a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Seventeen&mdash;The Animals That Wound Up"></a><br>
+
+            <img src="images/199b.jpg" alt="W" align="left">hen
+            they came to the railway track they were careful not to
+            get run into by the rushing tin train. They waited
+            until the cars had passed the spot where they stood and
+            then quickly ran across the track before the engine
+            came around again.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The merry-go-round was turning smoothly, and the
+            saddled animals galloped along in an inviting way,
+            while the barrel-organ played some very loud and frisky
+            circus tunes.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/200.jpg" alt="A tiger" align="left">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It's almost like a side show!" cried Dot
+            enthusiastically, as she seated herself upon a camel.
+            Tot bestrode a dapple-gray horse, and the Queen sat
+            upon a lion and took hold of its mane to steady
+            herself.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They whirled around in a very pleasant and exhilarating
+            manner for some time, and Dot was laughing and enjoying
+            herself immensely when she happened to notice a number
+            of big teardrops rolling down the cheeks of the tiger
+            that was galloping just in front of her.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I&mdash;I think it's&mdash;it's&mdash;real mean of
+            you," whimpered the tiger with sobs in his voice, "for
+            you to ride on that humpbacked animal all the time,
+            and&mdash;and neglect a roy&mdash;royal Bengal tiger!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, I shall be glad to make a change," she cried, and
+            leaping off the camel's back she sprang upon the tiger,
+            who thereupon dried his tears and smiled in a most
+            delightful manner.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "We seldom have visitors in this Valley," he said,
+            after he had wiped his eyes with a handkerchief that
+            was sticking in his bridle, "so most of the time there
+            is no one to ride us. I don't see the good of a
+            merry-go-round if it isn't used."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The Queen now noticed some of the other animals looking
+            discontented, so she and Tot changed seats also, and by
+            the time Mr. Split came to call them to supper they had
+            ridden all the animals in turn, and the keeper noticed
+            that his merry-go-round was bathed in one whirling
+            smile of gladness and content.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It is good for my animals to have visitors," he said,
+            happily, "it cheers them up."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/201.jpg" alt="A tiger" align="right">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Mr. Split had spread a white cloth upon the grass close
+            to one edge of the forest, and Dot and Tot and the
+            Queen sat around this and ate of the delicious fruit
+            the queer man had gathered. There were melons, grapes,
+            bananas, oranges, plums, strawberries, and pears and
+            all were ripe and exquisitely flavored.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            By the time they finished their meal it had become
+            twilight, and the Queen declared it would soon be dark.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I wonder where we can sleep," said Tot. But Dot looked
+            around and saw that Mr. Split was fastening three big
+            hammocks between the trees at the edge of the forest.
+            These hammocks were lined with soft, silken cushions
+            and looked very pleasant and cozy to the sleepy
+            children.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The Queen and Dot and Tot each climbed into one of the
+            hammocks and were covered over with silk-quilted
+            comfortables, after which Mr. Split turned a key at the
+            end of each hammock and set them moving gently to and
+            fro like the rocking of a cradle.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Before she went to sleep Dot looked over the edge of
+            her hammock and saw that the merry-go-round and the tin
+            train were now motionless, while all the animals seemed
+            to have run down and were standing quite still waiting
+            for morning, when Mr. Split would come and wind them up
+            again.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            * &nbsp; * &nbsp; *
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The little girl was awakened next morning by a sharp
+            clicking sound near by, and opening her eyes she saw a
+            tin monkey running up and down a string fastened to a
+            branch of the tree.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Dear me!" she said, looking at him intently; "are you
+            wound up so early in the morning?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, indeed," replied the monkey, still busily
+            climbing his string; "Mr. Split was here some time ago.
+            I suppose nearly everyone in the Valley must be going
+            by this time."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I didn't know it was so late," said Dot, slipping from
+            her hammock to the ground and feeling rather ashamed of
+            her laziness.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/203.jpg" alt="The monkey">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot was already up and sitting near the railway track
+            watching the tin train go round. The Queen now joined
+            Dot and they called Tot to breakfast, for Mr. Split had
+            loaded the cloth with a variety of cool, fresh fruit
+            and berries.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "He gathered those before he unhooked himself," said
+            the Queen, "for then he had two arms to carry them. But
+            when it came to winding up the animals he had to
+            separate in order that he might use each hand in a
+            different place, and so get around quicker."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Mr. Split's name suits him very well," said Dot, who
+            was enjoying the fruit.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes, it would be hard to call him anything else,"
+            replied the Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I suppose your own name fits you in the same way,"
+            ventured the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Certainly it does," answered the Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot's heart now began to beat rapidly, for she thought
+            she would at last discover what the Queen's name was.
+            Tot also looked interested, and forgot his slice of
+            melon as he listened.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You haven't told us yet what it is," said the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The little Queen laughed merrily. "Isn't it funny," she
+            exclaimed, "that I always forget to tell you? There is
+            no reason in the world why you should not know my
+            name."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then," said Tot, sharply, "tell it!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well," she said, "it's&mdash;"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Just then they heard a great crash, a whirling of
+            wheels and the scream of a whistle. Springing to their
+            feet they saw the tin train lying upside down near the
+            track, with its wheels whirling around like the wind,
+            and near by was a wooden goat and cart, completely
+            wrecked and splintered into many pieces.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They all ran down to the place, and the brave little
+            Queen picked up the tin train and set it upon its
+            track. It started to run again in its usual rushing
+            way, but Dot noticed that the cow-catcher was badly
+            bent and that some of the paint had been knocked off.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "There has been a collision," said her Majesty, calmly.
+            "I was afraid that goat-cart would get into trouble if
+            it ran so near to the engine. But it is wrecked now,
+            beyond repair, so there is nothing more to worry
+            about."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/205.jpg" alt="A collision">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            As she spoke the Police Patrol and the Fire Engine both
+            dashed up to the spot, and one of the officers asked:
+            "What's the trouble?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You are too late," said the Queen; "the trouble is all
+            over."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/206.jpg" alt=
+            "The Police Patrol and Fire Engine">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then we may as well go back," said the officer,
+            grumpily. "The trouble usually is over when we get
+            anywhere; that's why we take our time about coming."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well," said the Queen, when the Patrol and the Fire
+            Engine had gone back to their stables, "it is time for
+            us to go."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They looked around for Mr. Split, but not seeing him
+            they walked across the opening to the path that led
+            through the forest to the river. They each squeaked the
+            Alligator when they came to him, and left him feeling
+            joyful and contented.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boat was lying where they had left it, and they at
+            once stepped in and seated themselves.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'm sorry not to say good-bye to Mr. Split," said Dot,
+            as the boat glided out into the river.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "He is so busy he won't mind it," answered the Queen.
+            "I suppose he was in the forest winding up the animals
+            there when we came away. I do not think there is
+            another man in the whole world that does so much work
+            as Mr. Split, and he seems to enjoy it, too."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/207.jpg" alt="Mr. Split">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boat was rushing swiftly through the water, now,
+            and soon the forest of trees was passed and our
+            voyagers entered a deep archway that led to the Seventh
+            and last Valley of Merryland.
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="18"><img src="images/209a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Eighteen&mdash;The Valley of Lost Things"></a><br>
+
+            <img src="images/209b.jpg" alt="I" align="left">t was
+            morning, and the sun shone as brightly as it had every
+            day since they came to Merryland; yet the stillness of
+            the Seventh Valley was so intense that the children
+            became sober the moment they entered it, and even the
+            smile upon the little Queen's wax face looked strained
+            and out of place.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "The people here are either asleep, like the dolls, or
+            run down, like the animals," said Dot, sinking her
+            voice to a whisper.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "There are no people," replied the Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then what is the Valley for?" asked the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Wait a moment and you will see," was the answer.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boat now drew near the shore, but the banks of the
+            river were so high and steep that they could see
+            nothing above them, and Dot thought at first they would
+            be unable to land.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Presently, however, they reached a small place where
+            the bank sloped gently down to the water, and here the
+            Queen stopped the boat and asked the children to step
+            out.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Now follow me," said Her Majesty, when they had all
+            landed. So they walked up the sloping bank and found
+            themselves upon a big, circular plain as flat as a
+            platter, which was thickly covered with thousands and
+            thousands of pins. There were no trees at all, but
+            lying scattered upon the ground were heaps and stacks
+            of the most curious things.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Nearest to Dot was a great pyramid of thimbles, of all
+            sizes and made of many different materials. Further on
+            were piles of buttons, of all shapes and colors
+            imaginable, and there were also vast collections of
+            hairpins, rings, and many sorts of jewelry.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Tot noticed at his side a mammoth heap of lead pencils,
+            some short and stubby and worn, and others long and
+            almost new.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What does it all mean?" asked Dot, wonderingly, after
+            she had gazed about her.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It is the Valley of Lost Things," answered the Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh!" said Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh!" echoed Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            And again they began looking with wide-open eyes.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It is rather dangerous to walk on the pins," said the
+            Queen; "so we must choose some overshoes from this pile
+            and put them on our feet. There are so many pins lost
+            that they cover the entire Valley, and sometimes the
+            points turn up and are liable to stick into your feet."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The pile of overshoes was quite near them, so they
+            hunted through it until they found the right sizes. Of
+            course they could not get mates, but that did not
+            matter so much, if the soles were but thick enough to
+            keep the pins from sticking through.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            When at last their feet were clad in lost overshoes
+            they started to walk through the Valley, and Tot was
+            surprised to see so many heaps of caps and coats that
+            had been worn by boys.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Where do they all come from?" he asked.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well," replied the Queen, "it seems boys in the big
+            outside world seldom hang up their caps and coats; so
+            they are easily lost. Perhaps if they knew they would
+            get to this Valley, and could never be found again,
+            boys would be more careful."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Would they?" asked Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I suppose so. Here is a big pile of pennies. I expect
+            most of those were lost by children, too."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Let's take some!" cried Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No, indeed," said Dot, "if we took them they wouldn't
+            be lost any more."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Won't they ever be found?" asked the boy.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I think not," replied the Queen. "No one has ever been
+            here but you, and probably no stranger will ever come
+            to this Valley again."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It's all right for us to come," declared Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why?" enquired the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            '"Cause we're lost, too!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "So we are, Tot," said Dot, rather sadly; "but lost
+            people are usually found again, for I don't see any
+            others here."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            They walked a little farther on and saw a mass of
+            broken toys lying scattered about. There were dollies,
+            too, for suddenly Tot made a pounce and grabbed up a
+            sorry looking doll with one arm broken, one eye out and
+            a scratched and battered face.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I've found her!" he cried, joyfully; "I've found Jane!
+            An' I'm going to keep her, too."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Is it really your doll?" asked the Queen, with some
+            curiosity.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Course it is," replied Tot; "I lost her."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then I do not see why you should not keep her with
+            you; for, being found, she doesn't belong here any
+            more."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Course not," said the boy, hugging the broken doll in
+            his arms.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "There are a good many gloves and handkerchiefs lost,"
+            remarked Dot, looking at the heaps lying around.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes," replied the Queen; "and over at the further side
+            of the Valley are many piles of pocket-books, each pile
+            as big as a haystack. People are so careless with
+            pocketbooks."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Have they money in them?" asked the girl.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            <img src="images/213.jpg" align="right" alt="Tot">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Some have a great deal of money inside them, and some
+            only a few pennies. Others are stuffed with cards and
+            samples and papers," said the Queen. "I would take you
+            to look at them, but we should have to climb over a
+            hill of lost needles, and I fear our overshoes would
+            not protect us from their sharp points."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It's always hard to get at money," said Tot, with a
+            sigh.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Among other things lying near her Dot now noticed a
+            hurdy-gurdy, such as she had seen musicians carrying
+            around the streets. There was no monkey with it, and it
+            looked quite old and battered.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I wonder how long it has been here, she remarked,
+            thoughtfully.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Play it, and see," suggested the Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So Dot set the hurdy-gurdy up straight and turned the
+            crank, when it began playing in a jerky and wheezy
+            manner a tune called "Silver Threads Among the Gold."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "My! But that's an old tune," said Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It's rather pretty," declared the Queen, who had never
+            heard the air before. "Play another."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            This time the tune was "Little Annie Rooney," and then
+            followed "Captain Jinks" and "Two Little Girls in
+            Blue."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I guess this hurdy-gurdy was lost before I was born,"
+            sighed Dot. "It's certainly very old."
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="19"><img src="images/215a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Nineteen&mdash;The Lost Crowns"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/215b.jpg" alt="W" align="left">ell,
+            shall we return to the boat?" asked the Queen, when
+            they had looked at the lost things a while longer.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes," they answered willingly, for the Valley was a
+            rather sad sight.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            So they walked back to the bank, where they took off
+            their overshoes and threw them upon the pile. Then they
+            went down the sloping bank to the river and sat down
+            upon the sand to rest.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I'm hungry," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I forgot to bring anything to eat," answered the
+            Queen. "But that will not matter. Fetch me your basket
+            from the boat."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot brought it to the little lady, who simply waved her
+            fairy wand over it and said:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Now we shall have a good dinner."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The girl removed the cover and found that the big
+            basket was filled to the brim with dainties of all
+            kinds.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That's nice," said Tot. "Were all those things in the
+            end of your stick?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No one has ever yet discovered," answered the Queen,
+            "how fairies are able to do such wonderful things. In
+            fact, fairies could not explain them clearly if they
+            wished to. So it is best not to ask questions, but to
+            eat freely of these good things and be thankful my
+            magic wand was able to fill the basket."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "All right," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Although they enjoyed their dinner, the little party
+            seemed to be unusually silent and thoughtful, and
+            finally Dot asked:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "What shall we do next? We have seen all of the Seven
+            Valleys now."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "When we have finished our dinner we will return to my
+            palace in the Fourth Valley," replied the Queen, gaily.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            A long pause followed this remark, and it was broken by
+            Tot saying in a loud and decided voice:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I want to go home!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The Queen looked up quickly, with an anxious expression
+            upon her face, and asked, "Do you really?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes. I want to see my mamma!" declared the boy.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "And leave this beautiful country, where you are a
+            Prince?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes," said Tot decidedly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You surprise me, indeed," said the Queen, "and I am
+            rather disappointed that you are not content to remain
+            in my kingdom." Then she turned to Dot, and enquired:
+            "Do you also wish to return to your home?"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Well," replied the girl, "I love these beautiful
+            Valleys dearly, and never expect to be as happy again
+            as I have been here. But if Tot goes home of course I
+            must go with him, for his mother left him in my care,
+            you know."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "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&mdash;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."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "How?" asked Tot, excited at the prospect.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "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 passed through I
+            shall close up the tunnel forever, so you will never be
+            able to return."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That's all right," returned Tot, gleefully.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "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."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I know," said the Queen, with a smile.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Let's go now," urged Tot, as if he couldn't wait a
+            minute, now the matter was decided.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "How can you get to the Fourth Valley if we take the
+            boat?" Dot asked the Queen.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "That will be easy," she answered, pleasantly; "my
+            fairy wand will carry me home."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Come on, then!" cried Tot, leaping into the boat.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot turned to kiss the pretty Queen, who exclaimed: "Be
+            careful of my wax!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            But she stood on her tiptoes and gave the little girl a
+            dainty, airy kiss that just brushed her lips.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Good-bye my Princess," she said, and turning to the
+            boy, added:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Good-bye, Prince Tot of Merryland."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Good-bye," called Tot from the boat. "You're nice, an'
+            I love you. But I love my mamma, too."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "To be sure," answered the Queen, sweetly.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot now stepped in beside Tot, and the fairy doll
+            placed the basket in the boat and pushed it away from
+            the shore.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            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:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "You've never told us your name!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Haven't I, really?" asked the Queen, as if greatly
+            surprised.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/219.jpg" alt=
+            "The Queen says goodbye to Tot">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "No," said Dot. "I want to know what it is."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "So do I," yelled Tot, standing up beside the girl and
+            steadying himself by her arm.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "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:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Look out for the arch!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot and Tot both turned around to look, but they were
+            too late. A low, gloomy archway was just before them,
+            and as the boat glided into it, the jagged rocks of the
+            roof caught the children and threw them flat upon the
+            bottom of the boat.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            In falling, both the pretty gold crowns were knocked
+            from their heads and fell splashing into the dark
+            waters of the river, where they were lost forever.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Dot and Tot lay quite still for a time, while the light
+            in the tunnel turned to twilight, and the twilight
+            turned to utter darkness.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Suddenly they heard a great crash, with the sound of
+            falling rocks and the splashing of water. The boat
+            rocked with a little shiver, but neither of the
+            children spoke, for they knew the Queen had kept her
+            promise and closed up the archway behind them.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Finally Tot whispered, "I've got her yet."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Who?" asked Dot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Jane."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The girl did not reply. She was rubbing her head where
+            the roof had struck it and thinking earnestly of the
+            wonderful country she had just left. Tot might, in
+            time, forget his visit to Merryland, but Dot never
+            would.
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/221.jpg" alt=
+            "Floating into the tunnel">
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It's goin' to be as long as the first tun'l, Dot,"
+            said the boy; and then he curled himself up and fell
+            asleep, while the boat glided swiftly through the dark
+            tunnel, and no sound broke the stillness save the soft
+            rippling of the unseen waters.
+        </p><br>
+        <br>
+        <br>
+        <p>
+            <a name="20"><img src="images/223a.jpg" alt=
+            "Chapter Twenty&mdash;The Voyage Ends"></a><br>
+            <img src="images/223b.jpg" alt="S" align="left">uddenly
+            Dot, who had also fallen asleep, awoke with a start.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The sun was just sinking in the west, and the boat had
+            left the tunnel while they slept and was slowly
+            floating down the middle of a big river.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The girl at once awakened Tot and they looked carefully
+            along both sides of the river to see if they could find
+            the place where they had come out of the tunnel. But
+            nothing could be seen except a line of low trees
+            growing close down to the water.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "It doesn't make any difference, anyway," said the
+            girl; "for the Queen has closed up the end of the
+            tunnel."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Where are we?" asked Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "I don't exactly know. But this looks very much like
+            the river that flows past Roselawn."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Yes!" cried the boy, nodding his head, "I 'member
+            those trees."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Then," rejoined Dot, slowly, "I think I know how it
+            happened. The Valleys of Merryland are not in a
+            straight line, but lie in the form of a half circle; so
+            in passing through them we have come upon the same
+            river again, only higher up the stream. We'll soon be
+            opposite Roselawn, Tot."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            The boy was staring at the bank and did not answer at
+            once. But as the boat swept around a bend in the river
+            he cried:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Look!" and pointed with his finger to the shore.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Before them were the green banks of Roselawn, and
+            someone had already seen the children, for a boat
+            pushed out from the shore and came rapidly toward them.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            A few minutes afterward Dot was closely clasped in her
+            father's arms, while Tot was rapturously kissing the
+            bearded face of Thompson the gardener.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "How do you happen to be at Roselawn, Papa?" Dot asked.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Miss Bombien telegraphed me you were lost, so I came
+            by the first train and have been searching everywhere
+            for you. Thompson and I had both nearly despaired, for
+            we feared our little ones had been drowned."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, no," said Dot, "we've only been on a trip to
+            Merryland. But I'll tell you the whole story when we
+            get home."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Mr. Freeland noticed his daughter's round, plump
+            cheeks, slightly sunburned, but with a fresh, rosy tint
+            showing through the skin, and saw how her eyes sparkled
+            and danced with health. Very gratefully he pressed her
+            again to his heart and whispered:
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Wherever you may have been, my darling, the change has
+            restored your health, and that repays me for all my
+            anxiety."
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            * &nbsp; * &nbsp; *
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            As they walked up the white-graveled paths of Roselawn,
+            Dot skipped happily along by her father's side, while
+            Tot held fast to the gardener's big finger with one
+            hand and carried Jane in the other.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Soon they came to the place where the path branched off
+            to the gap in the hedge beyond which Tot lived, and he
+            called out, "Good-bye, Dot."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Good-bye," answered the girl; "I'll see you tomorrow."
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            But before she had gone far Tot came running up,
+            calling for her to stop.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Oh, Dot!" he said, "I know what the Queen's name is!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Do you?" she asked eagerly. "Tell me, quick!"
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Why it's Dolly, of course," said Tot.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            "Of course!" answered Dot, with a smile. "Funny we
+            never thought of that, isn't it?"
+        </p>
+        <p align="center">
+            <img src="images/226.jpg" alt="Dot and Tot">
+        </p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Dot and Tot of Merryland, by L. Frank Baum
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+</pre>
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+    </body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dot and Tot of Merryland, by L. Frank Baum
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Dot and Tot of Merryland
+
+Author: L. Frank Baum
+
+Illustrator: W. W. Denslow
+
+Release Date: November 11, 2011 [EBook #37976]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOT AND TOT OF MERRYLAND ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Michael Gray
+
+
+
+
+Books for Children
+by
+L. Frank Baum
+Illustrated by W. W. Denslow
+
+----
+
+----
+
+The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
+
+Uniform with Dot and Tot. 275 pages. 24 full page inserts in eight
+colors and over 150 colored text illustrations.
+
+Price $1.50
+
+----
+
+Father Goose: His Book
+
+Large Quarto, printed in four colors, ornamental boards.
+
+Price $1.25
+
+The most successful juvenile book of the age.
+
+----
+
+The Songs of Father Goose
+
+With Music by Alberta N. Hall. Large Quarto, ornamental boards.
+
+Price $1.00
+
+
+
+Dot and Tot of Merryland
+
+By L. Frank Baum
+
+Pictures by W. W. Denslow
+
+
+Geo M. Hill Co.
+Chicago New York
+Publishers
+1901
+
+
+Copyright 1901
+By L. Frank Baum
+And W. W. Denslow
+
+
+
+AUTHOR'S NOTE
+
+The success achieved last year by "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"--a
+book that not only ran through many large editions, but brought the
+author hundreds of letters from interested little folks--has induced
+me to follow that tale with another, herein presented.
+
+Should "Dot and Tot of Merryland" win the approval of my young
+friends, I shall be pleased and contented.
+
+In any event Mr. Denslow's quaint and merry pictures, which, in this
+book excel all his previous work, will be sure to induce happiness in
+the heart of every beholder.
+
+L. FRANK BAUM.
+Chicago, July 1, 1901.
+
+
+
+DEDICATION.
+
+
+  To ev'ry laughter-loving Tot--
+  Whether your name be Dot or not;
+  And may you find a Merryland
+  Forever lying close at hand.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER LIST
+
+  I.--Roselawn
+  II.--Tot
+  III.--The Boat
+  IV.--Under the Cliffs
+  V.--The Watch-Dog of Merryland
+  VI.--The First Valley
+  VII.--The Clown Country
+  VIII.--The Second Valley
+  IX.--The Third Valley
+  X.--The Queen of Merryland
+  XI.--The Palace of Wonders
+  XII.--Prince Tot and Princess Dot
+  XIII.--The Revolt of the Dolls
+  XIV.--The Queen's Fairy Wand
+  XV.--The Valley of Pussycats
+  XVI.--The Busy Mr. Split
+  XVII.--The Animals that Wound Up
+  XVIII.--The Valley of Lost Things
+  XIX.--The Lost Crowns
+  XX.--The Voyage Ends
+
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 1
+  ROSELAWN
+
+
+You should have seen Dot as she nestled among the cushions of the
+carriage on her way to the railway station with her father and
+governess, Miss Bombien. Her dainty white gown was covered with tucks
+and puffings and embroideries, as became the dress of the daughter of
+the wealthy banker who sat smilingly beside her. Her soft, braided
+white hat had a wide brim that drooped languidly over the pale little
+face beneath, and broad, white ribbons drew down the brim until all
+the yellow curls were hidden away. Indeed, the only bits of color
+about Dot that showed were her deep blue eyes and rosy lips. Even
+these last were not so rosy as they should have been, for Dot was not
+in her usual good health, having been confined to the big city house
+during a long winter and a chill, uncomfortable spring.
+
+But, now that the flowers were blooming and the birds singing in the
+new-leaved trees, she was going, in charge of her governess, to pass
+the summer at Roselawn, a beautiful country home her father had
+recently purchased.
+
+"You must try not to be lonely, dear," said her father, as he held
+her little hand in his big, strong one. "I have told Miss Bombien to
+let you run and romp to your heart's content, so the roses may more
+quickly return to your pale cheeks."
+
+Dot's eyes brightened. To run and romp as she pleased would indeed be
+a new experience to her, and she was happy even to think of such
+delight.
+
+"You will have no one but Miss Bombien for company," continued her
+father; "but there are plenty of servants, and I am told the grounds
+are in beautiful condition. In a few days, at most, Sweetheart, I
+shall run down to see you, and then you can tell me how you like your
+new home. In the meanwhile, Miss Bombien will simply look after your
+comfort; there will be no lessons to bother you. All you must do is
+eat and sleep and play, and to grow strong and rosy-cheeked again."
+
+Dot listened to al this with much pleasure, and decided she was about
+to have a fine holiday. Her real name, by the way, was Evangeline
+Josephine Freeland; but mamma and papa had always called her "Dot"
+from the day she was born, so sometimes she almost forgot she had
+such a beautiful name as Evangeline Josephine.
+
+Dot's mamma was an invalid, and had been taken by her father--Dot's
+grandfather, you know--for a trip to Europe, in search of better
+health, and so she had been forced to leave her little daughter to
+the watchful care of Miss Bombien. Mr. Freeland, although he loved
+Dot dearly, was a very busy man and could devote but little time to
+his child. "So, Sweetheart," he told her, "you will be Queen of
+Roselawn this summer, and I will come down once in a while to bow
+before your Majesty's throne."
+
+What he really feared was that Dot might grow up weak and delicate as
+her mother was; but he did not tell the child this. He resolved,
+however, that if fresh air and healthy surroundings could give his
+little girl strength and health, they should be at her command, and
+therefore he had purchased Roselawn almost entirely on Dot's account.
+
+Before she realized it, Dot found herself at the railway station and
+aboard a parlor car, where her father gave her a long and loving
+farewell kiss. Then Mr. Freeland stood upon the platform and waved
+his hand to his daughter, while the train slowly glided out from the
+station and began its journey into the sweet, fresh country.
+
+Roselawn won the girl's heart at first sight. The cool but sun-kissed
+mansion seemed delightful after the stuffy, formal city house. It was
+built in a quaint yet pretty fashion, with many wings and gables and
+broad verandas on every side. Before it were acres and acres of
+velvety green lawn, sprinkled with shrubbery and dotted with beds of
+bright flowers. In every direction were winding paths, covered with
+white gravel, which led to all parts of the grounds, looking for all
+the world like a map, Dot thought.
+
+From the first day of her arrival, Dot was all eagerness and joy.
+Miss Bombien fully obeyed her instructions to let the child run. Dot
+entered the house only to eat her meals, which she did with growing
+appetite, and then away she would romp to chase butterflies, visit
+the stables or poultry yard, or sit near the river bank and watch the
+driftwood float by. Sometimes a boat danced over the broad, blue
+waters, and then Dot would jump up and down and clap her hands in
+ecstasy at the pretty sight. The river soon became her favorite
+resort, for the green banks and terraces before the house ran down to
+the water's edge.
+
+Miss Bombien passed her days in hammock swung under a side porch,
+where she read a great many books and enjoyed herself in her own way.
+She did not bother to watch Dot, thinking the child could get into no
+mischief beyond a torn frock or a soiled lace.
+
+One morning, having finished her breakfast and scampered out upon the
+lawn, as usual, Dot chanced to notice a tiny path that led through a
+small opening in a high and thick hedge. She had never been in this
+direction before, and although she had often seen the hedge, she had
+not thought there was a way to pass through it. So a spirit of
+adventure came over her.
+
+"I'll explore," said Dot to herself.
+
+Pat, pat, patter went the little feet on the gravel, and soon the
+busy hedge was reached and the opening passed.
+
+Then Dot stopped suddenly and looked around. A cozy little
+vine-covered cottage nearly surrounded by blooming posies, was before
+her. From the doorway, however, a path led to Dot's feet, and sitting
+in the middle of this path, slowly piling pebbles into his
+broad-brimmed straw hat, was a little boy.
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 2
+  TOT
+
+The boy was a year or two younger than Dot, and seemed a chubby
+little fellow as he sat with his legs spread apart and his dark eyes
+raised wonderingly to the face of his unexpected visitor. Waves of
+brown hair clustered loosely about his broad forehead, and his dress
+was neat, though of a coarse material.
+
+He paused in his play and stared hard at Dot for a moment; then
+dropped his eyes bashfully and ran his fingers through the white
+pebbles in an embarrassed way.
+
+"Who are you?" asked the girl, in the calm, matter-of-fact tone
+peculiar to children, while she continued to regard the boy with the
+interest of a discoverer.
+
+"Tot," was the low reply.
+
+"Tot who?" she demanded.
+
+"Tot Tompum," murmured the boy.
+
+"Tompum! That doesn't mean anything," said Dot, decidedly.
+
+This positive statement seemed to annoy the little fellow. He raised
+his eyes half shyly a moment and said, in a louder voice:
+
+"Papa Tompum cuts the grass, an' makes the flowers grow. I'm Tot
+Tompum."
+
+"Oh," said Dot; "you must mean Thompson. Thompson's the gardener, I
+know, and gardeners make the flowers grow and cut the grass."
+
+The boy nodded his head twice as if to say she was right.
+
+"Gard'ner," he repeated. "Papa Tompum. I'm Tot Tompum."
+
+Then he took courage to look up again, and seeing a friendly smile
+upon Dot's face he asked boldly, "Who is you?"
+
+"Oh, I'm Dot," she answered, sitting down beside him. "My whole name
+is Dot Freeland."
+
+"Dot F'eelan'," said Tot.
+
+"Freeland," corrected Dot.
+
+"F'eelan'," said Tot.
+
+"Never mind," laughed the girl; "let us play together. What were you
+doing with the pebbles?"
+
+"Jack-stones," said the boy, and gravely picking out five of the
+white pebbles, nearly of one size, he tossed them into the air and
+tried to catch them on the back of his hand. Two tumbled off, and Dot
+laughed. The boy laughed, too, and tried it again. Before long they
+had become fast friends, and were laughing and chatting together as
+happily as if they had known one another for months.
+
+Tot's mother, hearing their voices, came to the door of her cottage;
+but seeing her boy's new playmate was "the young lady at the
+mansion," she smiled and returned to her work.
+
+Presently Dot jumped up.
+
+"Come, Tot," she cried, "let us go where your father is working. I
+saw him weeding one of the flower beds this morning."
+
+Tot scrambled to his feet and poured the white pebbles from his hat,
+after which he placed it upon the back of his head; so far back,
+indeed, that Dot wondered why it did not tumble off.
+
+"We'll go see Papa Tompum," he said, trotting along beside his new
+friend.
+
+Thompson, the gardener, was quite surprised to see his little boy
+holding fast to the hand of the rich banker's daughter, and chatting
+away as frankly as if he had known her for years; but Thompson had
+learned by this time that Dot ruled everyone about the place and did
+exactly as she pleased, so he made no protest. As he watched the
+children running about the grounds where Tot was usually forbidden to
+play, Thompson felt proud that his boy had been selected by "the
+young lady" for so high and honorable a position as her playmate.
+
+He made no protest when they raced across a flower bed and left the
+prints of their small feet upon the soft earth, for Dot held Tot
+firmly by the hand, and he obediently followed wherever she led. The
+big red roses attracted her fancy, and she ruthlessly plucked a
+handful and stuck them in rows around the rim of Tot's hat as well as
+her own, although the poor gardener, who had tended these flowers so
+patiently that they had become precious in his eyes, actually winced
+and shivered with dismay at witnessing the careless and, to him,
+cruel manner in which the young mistress of the house destroyed them.
+But Dot knew they were her property and enjoyed the roses in her own
+way; while Tot, although he may have felt guilty, wisely shifted all
+responsibility to his companion, and admired the royal way in which
+she accepted everything about the place as her very own.
+
+When the luncheon gong sounded from the big house, and Dot left Tot
+to obey the summons, she said to him, "Tomorrow I will bring a basket
+of sandwiches and cake, and we'll have a picnic down by the river
+bank."
+
+"All right!" answered Tot, and trotted away toward his father's
+cottage.
+
+It had been an eventful day to him, for he had found a delightful
+playmate.
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 3
+  THE BOAT
+
+Early next morning Dot came out of the house with a basket on her arm
+so big and heavy she could hardly carry it. Indeed, she stopped
+several times between the house and the gap in the big hedge to set
+the basket down while she rested. Once she was sorely tempted to
+chase a pretty butterfly that fluttered lazily over the lawn near by;
+but a glance at the basket and a thought of Tot recalled her to the
+fact that this was "a picnic day," and so she trudged steadily on and
+passed through the hedge.
+
+Tot was sitting on the door-step waiting for her. He wore a clean
+sailor waist and blue brownie overalls, and his face and hands had
+been freshly washed for the important occasion.
+
+When he saw Dot's basket his eyes grew big and round, and he asked,
+"What you got?"
+
+"Oh, that's our lunch," said the girl, setting down her burden with a
+sigh of relief.
+
+"What's lunch?" demanded Tot.
+
+"Why--something to eat, you know," she answered.
+
+"Oh," said Tot. Then he looked at the basket with new interest and
+asked, "Basket all full somefin' t'eat?"
+
+"Yes," replied Dot, with some pride. "I begged cook to give me all
+the good things she had in the pantry, 'cause you and I are going to
+have a picnic, and eat our lunch down by the river. So she filled it
+way up to the top, 'cause cook always does anything I ask. And it's a
+great big basket, Tot, too."
+
+"Yes," answered Tot, gravely, "big basket!" Then he jumped up and,
+all eagerness, approached the basket.
+
+"Let's eat it!" he exclaimed.
+
+"Oh, no," cried Dot reprovingly. "It isn't time for lunch yet. And
+I've just had my breakfast. But we'll go down to the river and start
+the picnic right away. And, if you're good, Tot, perhaps I'll give
+you just one piece of jelly-cake before lunch time."
+
+
+Tot's mother came out and kissed her boy good-bye, and then he and
+Dot took hold of the handle of the big basket and started for the
+river.
+
+Of course, it took them a long time to get there, for often they set
+down the basket to pick flowers or watch a robin redbreast carrying
+food to its nest full of babies, or to run over the soft,
+close-cropped grass and chase each other, in very joyful and good spirits.
+
+But they always returned to the basket, and at last carried it down
+to the water's edge, where they placed it upon a large, flat stone.
+
+"That will be our table, when it's time for lunch," said Dot.
+
+"Time now," remarked Tot, wistfully.
+
+"Not yet," said the girl, "but you shall have the jelly-cake, 'cause
+there's plenty to last all day."
+
+So she drew aside the white cloth that covered the basket and took
+out two big slices of cake, one for Tot and one for herself. While
+they ate it, they walked along the shore. The river was entirely
+deserted by boats, for it was a warm day and even the fisher folk did
+not care to be out. On the opposite shore were great walls of rock
+rising up from the river, but at the foot of the cliffs were bushy
+trees that lined the further edge of the water.
+
+"Just like whiskers," said Tot.
+
+"So they are, from here," agreed Dot; "but if we were on the other
+side of the river we would find them to be big trees. It's because
+they are so far away that they look like the river's whiskers."
+
+They walked farther along the shore until they were past the grounds
+of Roselawn, and then, turning a little bend in the river, they came
+to some low bushes growing down by the water.
+
+"Oh, Tot," cried the girl, "wouldn't it be nice to lunch under those
+trees, where it is cool and shady? Let us go back and fetch the
+basket."
+
+Tot followed obediently, for he recognized Dot as the leader not only
+because she was older, but because she possessed the wonderful basket
+of good things. They walked back to the big stone where they had left
+the basket, and after a good deal of labor managed to carry it to the
+grove of low trees. Pushing the branches aside, they crept through
+the bushes until they reached the edge of the river, and then Dot
+uttered an exclamation of delight.
+
+"Here's a boat!" she said. "And a pretty boat, too. I wonder whom it
+belongs to. But never mind, there's no one here; so we will climb
+into it and eat our luncheon on the seats."
+
+It really was a pretty boat, painted all white, except for a red
+stripe running along the outer edge. There was a broad seat at each
+end and two seats in the middle, and in the bottom of the boat, under
+the seats, were two oars.
+
+One end of the boat was drawn up on the shore, while the rest of it
+lay quietly upon the water; but the branches of the trees threw a
+cool shade over all, and it seemed to Dot and Tot the most pleasant
+place to eat their luncheon.
+
+They carried the basket to the broad seat farthest out in the water,
+and Dot spread her white cloth over it, and laid upon that all the
+good things cook had put into her basket.
+
+"Let's play house," said Tot.
+
+"Not house," corrected Dot; "we'll play this is a ship, and we're on
+a trip across the ocean. Won't it be jolly?"
+
+Sitting upon the bottom of the boat, close to the seat which formed
+their table, they laughed and talked and ate their luncheon with the
+keen appetites all healthy children have.
+
+The time passed so quickly they never knew how long they sat there;
+but suddenly Tot exclaimed, "It's hot!" and put on his hat to keep
+the sun from his head.
+
+Dot looked up, surprised to find that the sun was indeed shining full
+upon them. Then she noticed that the shade of the trees was gone and
+only the blue of the sky was over the boat.
+
+She stood up and gave a little cry of dismay.
+
+"We're in the river, Tot," she said; "the boat has got away!"
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 4
+  UNDER THE CLIFFS
+
+Tot scrambled to his feet and sat upon a seat of the boat, holding
+fast to the sides with both hands. As he looked around and saw the
+boat was far from land, he smiled and nodded his head, saying, "Now
+we'll play ship, an' ride on 'e ocean. Won't we, Dot F'eelun'?"
+
+"Oh, Tot!" exclaimed the little girl; "I'm afraid we'll be drowned.
+How can we ever get home again?"
+
+"Ride in 'e boat," said Tot, composedly.
+
+"But the boat is carrying us farther away every minute. We're
+floating downstream; and by-and-by we'll come to the ocean, where
+there are big waves," declared Dot, who was really frightened.
+
+But Tot refused to be afraid. As the swift current carried them
+along, he clapped his hands together joyfully and gave a little laugh
+of delight. "Nice ride!" he said again and again. "Hooray!"
+
+Dot was older and wiser. She knew a boat could be rowed by means of
+oars, and there were two oars lying on the bottom of the boat. She
+decided to make an attempt to reach the shore, for then someone might
+be found to help them back to Roselawn, which they had now left far
+behind.
+
+She drew out one of the oars and with difficulty, for it was heavy
+for the child to handle, managed to push one end into the water and
+rest the other against the row-lock of the boat. Then she began to
+row as hard as she could; but her strength was not great, and all she
+did was to push the front of the boat half around, so that it headed
+toward the rocky cliffs on the far side of the river.
+
+Her efforts pleased Tot, who laughed merrily as the oar splashed in
+the water; but Dot was determined to get to land if possible and
+struggled desperately at her task.
+
+The boat was still headed toward the rocky cliffs, when suddenly the
+oar flew out of Dot's hands and she fell backward off the seat.
+
+She was not hurt, but when she got up she saw the oar floating in the
+water, out of her reach; still she was reassured to notice that the
+boat was now gliding swiftly along, and presently, to her joy, she
+saw it was headed directly toward the fringe of trees, and getting
+nearer to the bank every moment.
+
+"It must be another current, Tot," she cried, "and this one is taking
+us to the shore. So I did some good by rowing, even if I lost the
+oar."
+
+Tot nodded, but said nothing. He was still enjoying the novel boat
+ride. Dot sat down on the seat beside him, and they watched the shore
+grow nearer and more distinct every moment as the boat glided
+steadily on.
+
+The trees were bigger than they had thought, and grew close down to
+the water's edge. Dot became worried when she noticed the speed of
+the boat increasing as they drew nearer to the shore.
+
+"If we bump those trees," she said, "we may be hurt, and the branches
+will scratch our faces dreadfully."
+
+Tot stopped smiling when he heard this, and took hold of Dot's hand,
+which he clasped tightly in his own.
+
+The next moment, still speeding onward, the boat reached the trees.
+The two children were caught by the branches, swept quickly from the
+seat, and sent sprawling at the bottom of the boat. But the boat
+itself never stopped an instant. There was just room for it to float
+underneath the thick branches, and instead of bumping into the shore,
+the water carried it through a small opening in the face of the rocky
+cliff, and then, in total darkness, it continued swiftly on its way!
+
+Dot and Tot, who were both startled by this unexpected danger,
+managed to get up and sit together upon the seat of the boat; but
+they could see nothing before them and only a faint light behind,
+where they had entered this hidden tunnel in the cliff.
+
+For some moments they sat in silence. Then Dot reached out her hand
+to see if she could feel anything; but the cool, damp air was all
+around them. Then she reached upward, and her hand struck against a
+piece of projecting rock which hurt her.
+
+"Tot," she whispered, "I think we'd better lie down in the bottom of
+the boat. The roof isn't very high up, and it may bump our heads if
+we sit here."
+
+Tot slipped off the seat at once and stretched himself out on the
+boards underneath. Dot quickly followed him, and then for a time they
+lay very still in the darkness, listening to the water as it rippled
+softly along the sides of the boat.
+
+Presently the girl asked, "Are you frightened, Tot?"
+
+"Not, much," was the hesitating answer; and then, after a long pause,
+he added, "but some."
+
+"Oh, I'm some frightened myself," said Dot. "But I don't know what we
+can do."
+
+"I know," declared Tot, solemnly.
+
+"What?" she inquired, in an anxious voice.
+
+"Nuthin'."
+
+Dot saw no need of replying to this, and another long period of
+silence followed.
+
+They did not seem to be in any immediate danger, for the boat swept
+along with a free, easy motion that was very pleasant, and the air
+was delightfully cool after the heat of the sun outside in the open
+river.
+
+But two things worried Dot. One was the fact that she was being
+carried a long ways from home, and the other a fear of where the
+underground river might lead them. She wasn't at all sure they were
+not floating down into the middle of the earth, and the chances of
+ever seeing Roselawn again were growing smaller every minute.
+
+Nothing seemed to worry Tot, however. The darkness and the murmuring
+of the water made him drowsy, and before long he was fast asleep,
+with his chubby little arms clasped around Dot's neck.
+
+The girl was also gradually recovering from her fright, since nothing
+terrible seemed to happen. They were having a long journey under the
+cliffs; but she knew there must come an end to it some time, and
+probably they would float out of the dark tunnel into the daylight
+sooner or later.
+
+On and on sped the little boat, until at last, as Dot lay staring
+into the darkness, she noticed a dim light about her, and began to
+see the rocky roof of the cavern through which they were passing.
+
+Then she sat up, and, far away in the distance, she saw a round,
+bright spot that reminded her of a full moon. It seemed to be getting
+nearer and bigger, and finally she gave a cry of joy and awakened her
+companion.
+
+"Tot! Oh, Tot!" she called. "We've got to the end at last and are
+coming out of the tunnel!"
+
+Tot sat up and rubbed his eyes. He gave one careless glance at the
+opening, and then turned his eyes upon the lunch basket, saying,
+sleepily, "I'm hungry!"
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 5
+  THE WATCH-DOG OF MERRYLAND
+
+Of course, Dot paid no attention, during this exciting moment, to the
+boy's demand for food.
+
+There would be plenty of time to eat after they were out of the
+tunnel and in safety.
+
+The boat glided on as gracefully as a swan, and in a few minutes it
+passed through the jagged rocks that formed the mouth of the tunnel
+and floated into a broad, open river.
+
+Dot and Tot quickly scrambled upon the seat and looked around them.
+
+They were in a deep valley, shaped very much like a chopping bowl,
+only around the outer edge were high, peaked mountains. Not a tree
+nor a green thing was to be seen anywhere, but the valley was thickly
+covered with stones--big stones and little stones and stones of all
+sizes--scattered about in every direction.
+
+Through the center of the valley ran the broad, blue river, at one
+end of which was now the boat, while at the other end the children
+saw a low archway, through which the water seemed to pass into some
+country beyond.
+
+Very slowly the boat was floating toward this archway, and Dot
+decided there would be ample time to eat something from the basket
+before they had passed through the valley of stones.
+
+"We may as well go on, Tot," she said, as she arranged the luncheon;
+"for this isn't a pleasant place to stop in, and we should never be
+able to climb over those high mountains."
+
+"Never could," agreed Tot, as he bit into a sandwich.
+
+"What a queer place this is," she continued, looking around them. "I
+don't believe anyone has ever been here before. Let us give it a
+name. That's what all explorers do. We'll call it Stony Vale."
+
+"All right," said Tot, contentedly. Then he stretched out his arm and
+pointed to something that was moving among the stones.
+
+"See!" he said. "Funny man."
+
+"Why, I really believe it is, Tot!" exclaimed the girl, looking
+toward the place. "No, it isn't a man; it's a bear."
+
+"Bear!" repeated Tot, with wide open eyes. "Funny bear!"
+
+Halfway up the valley they saw a shaggy-looking creature sitting upon
+a rock. It seemed to have the form of a man, as Tot had first
+declared; but it was covered with long, thick hair, which made Dot
+decide it must be a bear.
+
+Whatever it was, the creature was surely alive, and it had also seen
+the boat, for the next moment it rose from the rock and came bounding
+down to the shore of the river, leaping from stone to stone, and
+moving so swiftly that its long hair streamed out behind it in the
+wind.
+
+The boat was now being carried by the current directly toward the
+shore, and soon its front end touched softly upon the gravelly beach.
+At the same time the strange creature drew closer to them and sat
+down upon a big stone only a few feet away.
+
+Dot and Tot had been watching it, and now saw that what they had
+taken for a bear was an old man, with whiskers and hair so long that
+they reached down to the soles of his feet, and probably would have
+grown still longer had not the rough stones worn away the ends of the
+hair. Not a bit of his body could be seen; the flowing white hair
+covered him everywhere like a gown, except upon the top of his head,
+which was smooth and bald. So thick, indeed, was the covering that
+when he stretched out his arms, the old man could only push his hands
+and wrists through the masses of hair.
+
+The curious appearance of this strange person surprised the children,
+and they remained for some time staring at him without trying to say
+a word.
+
+The hairy man looked at them, in return with equal interest, and was
+the first to speak, saying in a mild, sad voice:
+
+"Strangers, who are you?"
+
+"I'm Dot, sir," answered the girl. "Dot Freeland."
+
+"She's Dot F'eelun'," repeated Tot.
+
+"And this is my friend, Tot Thompson," she continued.
+
+"I'm Tot Tompum," said Tot gravely.
+
+"Oh," replied the man. "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm
+the Watch-Dog of Merryland."
+
+"What a queer name!" exclaimed Dot. "Why do they call you that?"
+
+"Because I'm placed here to keep everyone from passing through the
+archway that spans the river into the fair and happy valleys of
+Merryland."
+
+"How can you keep them from passing through?" asked the girl.
+
+"Why, tell them they mustn't, of course."
+
+"But suppose they won't mind you, what will you do then?"
+
+The old man looked puzzled, and shook his head slowly.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know what I could do in that case," he answered.
+"You see, no one has ever before come here since I was commanded to
+guard the entrance to Merryland."
+
+"How long have you been here?" inquired Dot.
+
+"About three hundred years, I think; but I've lost track of the exact
+time."
+
+"Don't you ever die?" asked Tot wondering at this great age.
+
+"I haven't died yet," answered the old man, thoughtfully.
+
+"But you will, won't you?" persisted the boy.
+
+"Why, I suppose so, if the Queen lets me," was the reply.
+
+"Who is the Queen?" questioned Dot.
+
+"She who rules Merryland," answered the man.
+
+Then, for a few moments, there was silence, while Dot and Tot stared
+at the hairy old man and he stared at them.
+
+Presently Dot broke the silence the stillness by asking, "What do you
+do in this lonesome place, where you have no one to talk to?"
+
+"Why, most of the time I watch, as it is my duty to do. And when I
+get lonely, I count my whiskers."
+
+"Oh!" said Dot. Then she inquired, curiously, "How many whiskers have
+you?"
+
+"Well, answered the Watch-Dog of Merryland," confidentially, "there
+are either eighty-seven thousand four hundred and twenty-six, or else
+eighty-seven thousand four hundred and twenty-eight. Sometimes I make
+it one figure and sometimes the other, so I can't really tell which
+is right. I was engaged in counting my whiskers when I looked up and
+saw your boat. I had then counted sixty-nine thousand three hundred
+and fifty-four; but I was so surprised to see you that I missed the
+count, and now I shall have to begin all over again."
+
+"I'm sorry," said Dot, sympathetically; "I'd like to know just which
+is the right number."
+
+"If you will wait I'll count them," he replied, eagerly. "Perhaps
+then you can tell if I make a mistake."
+
+"How long will it take?" she asked.
+
+"I can do it in about four months."
+
+"Oh, we couldn't possibly wait that long," declared the girl. "I
+really think we should be going now."
+
+"Where will you go?" he asked.
+
+"There is only one way for us to go--through that archway into
+Merryland, as you call it. We are not strong enough to pull the boat
+upstream, so we must let it float where it will."
+
+"It will be a terrible disgrace to me," said the Watch-Dog of
+Merryland, in a solemn voice, "if you escape me. What will the Queen
+say when she knows I have watched here three hundred years without
+seeing anyone, and then allowed the first strangers who came along to
+pass through the archway?"
+
+"I do not see that she can blame you," returned Dot. "You say
+yourself you would be unable to stop us if we decided not to mind
+you. So the Queen can only blame us for not minding you."
+
+"That is true," said the old man, more cheerfully.
+
+"Want somethin' t'eat?" inquired Tot, holding out a slice of
+jellycake.
+
+"Dear me!" said the Watch-Dog, taking the cake in his hand and
+looking at it with much curiosity. "What is it?"
+
+"Eat it," said Tot; "it's good."
+
+"But I can't eat," replied the old man. "I don't know how. I've
+never eaten anything in my life."
+
+"Not even when you were a little boy?" Tot asked, in wonder.
+
+"Well, I've forgotten what happened when I was a little boy, it's so
+long ago," returned the man. "But I certainly have no desire to eat
+now, and if I had there is nothing in the Valley to devour except
+stones. I suppose eating is a habit you have acquired. Why don't you
+break yourself of it?"
+
+"I get hungry," answered Tot.
+
+"Hunger must be a habit, too," remarked the old man, "for I never
+have had it since I have been in this valley. However, if you will
+allow me to keep the cake, I will amuse myself by looking at it when
+I'm tired of counting my whiskers."
+
+"You are quite welcome to the cake," said Dot. "But now I must ask
+you to excuse us, for it is time we started upon our journey."
+
+"Oh, don't let me detain you," replied the Watch-dog of Merryland,
+politely; "that is, if you are determined to disobey my orders."
+
+"I fear we must," said the girl. "Is Merryland the other side of that
+archway?"
+
+"Part of it is," answered the old man. "There are Seven Valleys in
+Merryland, connected by archways, for the river flows through them
+all."
+
+"And what is beyond the Seventh Valley?" asked Dot.
+
+"No one knows except those who pass through, and those who pass
+through never return to tell," he replied.
+
+"Well, good-bye," said Dot.
+
+"Bye!" repeated Tot, briefly.
+
+"Good-bye," answered the Watch-Dog.
+
+The girl took the remaining oar and pushed the boat away from the
+shore with it. The little craft glided out into the river very
+slowly, and drifted along with the current in the direction of the
+archway.
+
+Dot and Tot sat on the seat and watched the friendly old man until a
+shadow fell upon them, and called their attention to the fact that
+they were passing through the arch into the First Valley of
+Merryland.
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 6
+  THE FIRST VALLEY
+
+The rocky arch was not very thick, yet before Dot and Tot had floated
+to the other side of it, shouts of merry laughter and the chattering
+of many voices came to their ears. Some of the voices sounded loud
+and shrill, others low and deep, but all rang with a happy tone that
+aroused the children's interest at once, and made them wonder what
+occasion could cause so much amusement.
+
+Then, so suddenly that it quite startled the childish voyagers, the
+boat glided from the archway into the most beautiful country one
+could imagine.
+
+It was a Valley, as the Watch-Dog had said; but it was level and
+sunny and dotted with broad-leaved trees; while soft, tender grasses,
+mingled with brilliant flowers, covered the ground in every
+direction. There seemed to be no houses at all, yet streets were laid
+out in regular order, having at their sides raised platforms in place
+of houses. Each of the platforms was four feet high and fifteen feet
+square on the top, and they were separated from one another by
+stretches of the flower-strewn lawn. The top and sides of every
+platform were padded like the mattresses of a bed, and were covered
+with silks and velvets of the most gorgeous patterns, no two being of
+the same combinations of colors.
+
+On many of these raised and padded platforms, Dot and Tot saw groups
+of funny-looking Clowns, all dressed in wide, baggy trousers, puffy
+jackets and soft, pointed caps. Yet in their costumes was an endless
+variety of colorings and combinations of colors, making the groups
+look remarkably bright and pleasing.
+
+The faces of the Clowns were painted in a fanciful way, with rings of
+red and blue and yellow on their cheeks, and spots and streaks of the
+same gorgeous colors over their eyes and around their chins.
+
+When the children first came into the Valley of the Clowns, they saw
+many of them leaping and tumbling and turning somersaults upon the
+platforms, while others were juggling with balls, or balancing long
+feathers and sticks upon their noses and chins. These feats were
+greeted with shouts of laughter by other Clowns who were resting and
+looking on, and these spectators also cried out their approval or
+poked fun at the performers when they failed to accomplish the acts
+they were attempting.
+
+While Dot and Tot sat in their boat, looking with amazement at the
+strange sights all about them, one of the Clowns chanced to look
+their way, and upon seeing the children, he set up a shout and rushed
+down to the shore, followed by more than a hundred of his fellows.
+
+As they ran, the Clowns leaped over one another, turned somersaults
+into the air, and walked upon their hands nearly as fast as they
+could upon their feet; and so swift were all their movements that, in
+less time than one could think possible, they were all crowded along
+the river bank, and shouting loud greetings to the new arrivals.
+
+Dot had to put her fingers in her ears at first, for the noise
+bewildered her, and while she wondered what she should say to these
+lively creatures, she noticed a richly dressed Clown standing before
+the others, and making low bows to her and to Tot. As his lips seemed
+to move, she took away her fingers from her ears that she might hear
+what he was saying.
+
+Everyone was talking at the same time, and at first Dot could hear
+nothing plainly; but the Clown who was standing in front of his
+comrades clapped his hands loudly together three times, at which the
+others instantly became silent and motionless.
+
+Then, with another bow, the leader addressed her, speaking in a sweet
+and most pleasing tone of voice, "Welcome, O King and Queen of
+Children, to the Valley of Clowns! We live but for your amusement; we
+love your happy and smiling faces more than anything else in the
+world, and this day on which you have come to visit your slaves is
+the most joyful we have ever known."
+
+Here he made another bow and threw his pointed cap high into the air,
+where it whirled over and over and finally fell straight upon his
+head again. There was a shout of applause at this feat, and Tot
+laughed loudly and clapped his hands.
+
+Then the leader of the Clowns again spoke, "If you will graciously
+consent to land in our country, where everything we have is at your
+service, we shall be delighted to amuse you to the best of our
+ability."
+
+"You are very kind," answered Dot, "and as we are tired by sitting in
+the boat so long, we shall be glad to accept your invitation."
+
+Then she pushed the boat to the shore, where a dozen Clowns seized it
+and drew it far up on the grassy bank. Then Dot and Tot stepped out
+upon land, and as they did so every Clown present turned a backward
+somersault and shouted, "Here we are again!"
+
+The one who had first spoken to them now came forward and shook hands
+with both Dot and Tot in a very polite manner.
+
+"My name is Flippityflop," he said, "and I am the Prince of Clowns,
+ruling here under the gracious favor of her Majesty the Queen of
+Merryland. I beg you will allow me to escort you to my dwelling; but
+first I should like to know your names, and how you came here."
+
+"I'm Tot Tompum," said the boy, looking up into the Clown's painted
+face, "and here's Dot F'eelun. We've come in a boat, long, long ways
+off. An' we don't know how to get home again."
+
+"We are delighted to have you with us, however you came here,"
+replied the Clown; "and as for your getting home again, why, that is
+worry, and no one ever worries in the Valley of Clowns. You are
+welcome to remain our guests as long as you please, and while you are
+with us you must consider us your slaves, for Clowns have always been
+the slaves of children." Then he turned to the others.
+
+"Brothers!" he shouted. "Allow me to introduce you to our friends Dot
+and Tot, of the Big Round World. We are all their slaves. Salute
+them!"
+
+Instantly every Clown stood upon his head and knocked his heels
+together in the air. As they wore silver bells around their ankles,
+this made a most delightful, tinkling sound, and the sight of so many
+topsy-turvy Clowns was so pretty that Dot and Tot both laughed and
+clapped their hands.
+
+Then Flippityflop caught the children in his arms and seated one of
+them upon each of his shoulders, after which he marched up the
+street, followed by the rest of the Clowns, who sang and danced as
+they came.
+
+The Prince carried them to one of the prettiest platforms and set
+them gently upon its cushioned top. Then he leaped into the air,
+whirled around like a windmill and landed gracefully beside them.
+
+"Welcome to my dwelling," he said.
+
+"But this isn't a dwelling," exclaimed Dot. "A dwelling is a house."
+
+"And this is a sofa!" declared Tot.
+
+"Oh, no; it's a real house," said Flippityflop, "although it may be
+different from the dwellings you are accustomed to. Let us enter."
+
+He seized a silken strap and opened a trap-door in the top of the
+platform.
+
+"Come on!" he cried, and jumping down the hole, disappeared from
+view.
+
+Dot crept up to the trapdoor and looked down. Just beneath her was
+Flippityflop, holding out his arms.
+
+"Come on!" he said again; "I'll catch you."
+
+Dot did not hesitate, but dropped through the opening, and the Prince
+caught her safely in his arms. Tot followed a moment later, and then
+the children gazed about them curiously.
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 7
+  THE CLOWN COUNTRY
+
+Flippityflop's house proved to be one big room, built under the
+platform, and lighted by a soft glow from hidden electric lamps. The
+walls were covered with bright-yellow silk hangings and on the floor
+was a crimson carpet. All around the sides were wide benches with
+soft cushions of purple velvet, and near the middle of the room was a
+small table of blue and silver. On the walls Dot noticed several
+gaudily colored pictures of Clowns, and when Flippityflop saw the
+children looking at these pictures he said:
+
+"Those are portraits of my father and grandfather and great-grandfather.
+They were all Princes of this Valley of Merryland, as well as good men
+and clever Clowns. Therefore I am proud of them."
+
+"They look very jolly," said Dot.
+
+"They were jolly, and proved a comfort to thousands of children. But
+you must be hungry, and I trust you will allow me to offer you some
+dinner. What will you have?"
+
+"What you got?" inquired Tot.
+
+"Well, I have in my cupboard some fried goldfish, boiled buttercups
+and pickled shoelaces," he answered.
+
+"Don't want any," said Tot.
+
+"These seem rather foolish things to eat," remarked Dot.
+
+"Of course, they are foolish things," agreed Flippityflop,
+cheerfully. "Everything we do here is foolish. You certainly can't
+expect wisdom in a country of Clowns."
+
+"Course not," said Tot.
+
+"If you'll send to the boat for our basket, I think we will prefer to
+eat the things we brought with us," declared Dot.
+
+"Certainly!" answered the Prince, and immediately sticking his head
+through the trapdoor, he asked a Clown who stood outside to fetch the
+basket.
+
+It came in a remarkably short time, and then Flippityflop assisted
+Dot to lay the cloth on the blue and silver table, while the children
+proceeded to eat of the sandwiches, cake and apple-tarts that
+remained in the basket.
+
+"Wouldn't you like something to drink?" asked the Prince.
+
+"I am rather thirsty," admitted Dot; "have you any milk?"
+
+"No, we do not use milk in this Valley," he answered. "But we have
+some excellent green paint, or, if you prefer it, I can give a bottle
+of red mucilage."
+
+"No, thank you," said Dot; "we couldn't drink those. Perhaps you will
+bring us some fresh water from the river."
+
+"But the water is quite wet," exclaimed the Clown, "and is liable to
+make you damp. Surely you won't think of drinking it!"
+
+"Oh, yes; we're accustomed to drinking water," said the girl.
+
+So the water was sent for, and Dot and Tot took long and refreshing
+drinks, although their action alarmed Flippityflop, who urged them to
+eat a few handfuls of sawdust afterward to absorb the dampness.
+
+"Do all the Clowns live in this Valley?" asked the girl, when the
+table was cleared.
+
+"Yes, all except those we send into the world to amuse the children,"
+answered Flippityflop. "You see, we train them all very carefully,
+and every year one is selected to go into the world."
+
+"How do they get there?" asked the child.
+
+"At the upper edge of our Valley there is one place not so steep as
+the rest. The Clown who is leaving us climbs to this place and finds
+himself on the top of a mountain. So he makes himself into a ball, as
+he has been taught to do, and rolls down the mountain into the
+outside world, where he travels around until he finds a circus to
+join."
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Dot. "I've seen 'em--in circuses."
+
+"To be sure; that's the proper place for Clowns. Do they make the
+children laugh?"
+
+"Sometimes," said the girl.
+
+"When they do not," said Flippityflop, gravely, "they are imitation
+Clowns, and were never trained in this Valley of Merryland. The real
+Clowns are sure to make you laugh. But come, it is time our people
+were gathering on the platforms for their evening practice. Would you
+like to watch them?"
+
+"Yes, indeed!" cried Dot, joyfully; and Tot clapped his hands and
+echoed: "'Deed, yes!"
+
+So Flippityflop lifted them through the hole to the top of the padded
+platform, where they saw a strange and merry sight.
+
+All the platforms on both sides of the street were now occupied by
+Clowns, who were performing in a most marvelous manner. The trees
+were full of electric lights, which shed brilliant rays over the
+scene and enabled the children to see everything distinctly.
+
+"Come with me," said their friend, "and I will lead you through the
+street, that you may see what my brothers are doing."
+
+They left the Prince's platform and came to the next, where three
+gaily dressed Clowns were bounding into the air and whirling around
+before they came down again. Every time they jumped they cried: "All
+right, Mr. Johnson!" in their shrill voices, and often one of them
+would fall on his head or back instead of landing on his feet. When
+this happened they were not hurt, for the platform was soft and
+yielding; so they sprang up at once and tried it over again, laughing
+at their own mishaps.
+
+At the next platform were some juggling Clowns. One of these placed a
+light ladder on his shoulders, and another ran up it and stood upon
+his head on the top rung.
+
+In another place the Clowns threw small silver balls into the air,
+one after the other, and then caught them cleverly as they came down.
+
+Near the end of the street a Clown, dressed in a costume of scarlet
+with green spots upon it, and wearing a white, pointed cap upon his
+head, was singing a comic song. They stopped to listen while he sang
+as follows:
+
+  A goat to a barber went one day;
+  "Just trim my beard," the goat did say,
+  "And cut my hair in a stylish way"--
+  Sing shivvy, shovvy, shavey!
+  The barber then began to snip,
+  But soon he let the scissors slip,
+  And cut the goat upon his lip--
+  Sing shivvy, shovvy, shavey!
+
+  Then Mr. Goat, with angry bleat,
+  Gave one big jump from out his seat,
+  And knocked the barber off his feet--
+  Sing shivvy, shovvy, shavey!
+  "Enough!" he cried, "I'll have you know,
+  If barbers treat their patrons so,
+  I'll just allow my beard to grow!"
+  Sing shivvy, shovvy, shavey!
+
+After each verse another Clown cracked a long whip at the singer,
+which made him leap into the air and screw his face up in such a
+comical way that Dot and Tot were greatly amused, and applauded him
+rapturously.
+
+Just across the street was another singing Clown; but this one was
+dressed in a curious costume that was all white on one side of his
+body and all red on the other side. This fellow balanced the point of
+his cap upon the end of his nose, and then, making a bow, sang the
+following song:
+
+  Little Tommy Harris
+  Made a trip to Paris.
+  There he went within a tent,
+  Saw a convex firmament;
+  Then he peered within a booth,
+  Saw a shark without a tooth,
+  Heard a dumb man sing and chant,
+  Saw a crimson elephant.
+  Next he walked into a street,
+  Saw a lamp-post drink and eat,
+  Heard a turtle loudly roar,
+  Saw a rainbow through a door.
+  Then a man without a leg
+  Danced upon a horse's egg.
+  Then a steeple on a dome
+  Cried, "My boy, you'd best go home."
+  But as Tommy homeward sped,
+  He awoke--and was in bed!
+  Little Tommy Harris
+  Never went to Paris!
+
+This singer had so droll an expression on his face that Tot yelled
+with rapture, and Dot found herself laughing heartily. Indeed, the
+whole performance was a delight to the children, and they were sorry
+when a bell rang and put a stop to the antics of the Clowns.
+
+At once the they all dived into the trapdoors of their platforms, and
+Flippityflop said they had gone to bed and would not appear until the
+next morning.
+
+The children were somewhat tired by the adventures of the day, so
+when Flippityflop helped them to gain the room under his platform,
+they crept to the soft-cushioned benches that lined the walls and lay
+down. In less than a minute Dot and Tot were fast asleep, curled up
+side by side, with their arms entwined.
+
+Next morning they were awakened by the strains of sweet music. Dot at
+once sat up and asked, "What is that?"
+
+"That is my alarm clock," answered Flippityflop, who had been
+reclining upon a bench at the other side of the room. "It tells me
+when it is time to get up."
+
+"It's a queer alarm clock," said the girl.
+
+"But a very good one," returned the Clown. "It is really a big
+music-box under the bench, which starts playing every morning at seven
+o'clock. So, instead of being awakened by a rattling and clanging of
+bells, such as most alarm clocks make, I open my eyes with a
+sensation of pleasure, and get up feeling jolly and content.
+
+"I think it's a lovely clock," said Tot.
+
+"Won't you join me at breakfast?" asked the prince. "I'm going to
+have a dish of scrambled egg-shells and a few fried buttons. The
+eggshells make our complexion white and chalky, and we are very fond
+of them."
+
+"I prefer to eat something from our basket," replied the girl. "But
+Tot may eat the egg-shells and buttons, if he wants them."
+
+"Don't want 'em!" cried Tot. "Want bread and butter."
+
+"Well, I declare!" said the Clown. "What peculiar tastes you children
+have!"
+
+But he allowed them to breakfast from their own stock of food, and
+when the meal was finished Dot said, "We must be going now; but first
+I wish to thank you for the pleasant time we have had in your Valley.
+We enjoyed the Clowns very much indeed."
+
+"Nice Clowns," declared Tot, with emphasis.
+
+"I'm sorry to have you go," said Flippityflop, "but I suppose you
+cannot stay here always, especially as you are going to visit our
+Queen."
+
+Then he carried the big basket down to the boat for them, and all the
+Clowns came to the river bank in a long procession, to bid them
+good-bye.
+
+After they were seated in the boat and had begun to float out into
+the river again, the Clowns started singing a comic song, in one big
+chorus, as a farewell entertainment.
+
+Dot and Tot laughed and waved their handkerchiefs at the jolly
+fellows until the archway leading into the next Valley was reached,
+and as the shadow of the rocks fell upon them and shut out their view
+of the First Valley of Merryland, they sighed and turned wonderingly
+to face whatever adventures might lie before them.
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 8
+  THE SECOND VALLEY
+
+Gliding out of the archway into the Second Valley of Merryland, our
+little voyagers saw before them a big enclosure shaped like a
+diamond. Along two sides of this diamond the river ran very slowly,
+and upon the bank at their left rose a huge, straight wall of solid
+rock, that seemed, as they looked up, to reach to the clouds.
+
+Upon the bank at their right hand, however, was a broad, flat
+country, which seemed at first sight to resemble any other beautiful
+valley, having trees and meadow, roads and fences, and a few pretty
+houses clustered near the river bank.
+
+But on looking closer, Dot and Tot saw that all the trees had smooth
+trunks, with bright colors twisted around them like sticks of candy.
+The branches, though smaller than the trunks, had the same
+stick-candy appearance; while the leaves, which were of various colors,
+looked soft and thick, as if they were made of candy, too.
+
+The houses were many-colored, being pink and brown and white and
+lavender, and the walls of all of them were as smooth as taffy. One
+big house, that was built exactly at the bend in the river, seemed to
+Dot to be made entirely of molasses candy, for it had the same color
+and appearance.
+
+The trees and houses and fences were all smaller than one usually
+sees, but the brilliant colors made them look very pretty indeed.
+
+The boat floated slowly toward the bend in the stream, and finally
+came close to the bank in front of the big molasses-candy house,
+where it stopped. Dot stepped out upon the bank and fastened the
+boat, and then Tot jumped out beside her. There was a little path,
+brown in color and rather rough, that led past the house and down to
+the river where they stood, and as Tot jumped upon this path he
+stubbed his toe and fell down. Then Dot saw him pick up a piece of
+the brown path that had become loosened, and after looking at it a
+moment put it into his mouth.
+
+"Don't do that, Tot!" called the girl, in horror. "You mustn't eat
+mud."
+
+"T'ain't mud," said Tot, with his mouth full. "It's fudge."
+
+"Fudge!" echoed Dot. "You must be crazy, Tot." But she tasted a small
+piece herself and found that Tot was right. It was very nice fudge,
+too.
+
+Just then as Dot was looking curiously toward the house, she saw the
+door open and a little man come out, followed the next moment by a
+little woman. They were not only very little, but short and very fat.
+The man wore a tall hat, a swallow-tail coat and tight breeches; but
+all his garments seemed fastened to him in some way, as if they were
+not made to come off, and their bright colors looked to have been
+painted on. The woman's dress had the same appearance, and the big
+Shaker bonnet she wore seemed really a part of her head.
+
+When these people saw Dot and Tot, they stopped short and looked at
+each other in surprise; but the man seemed soon to recover himself
+and walked quickly toward the children, swinging a candy cane in his
+hand as he came.
+
+"Good morning, my dears," he said, pleasantly.
+
+"Good morning," answered Dot.
+
+"Mornin'," said Tot.
+
+"Will you kindly tell us how you came here?" continued the fat little
+man. "You must excuse my curiosity, but I cannot remember ever having
+seen any real children before."
+
+"Our boat brought us," said Dot. "We're drifting down the river and
+have to go wherever it takes us."
+
+"Oh, I see," said the man. "Well, since you are here, permit me to
+welcome you to the Valley of Bonbons," and he reached out his hand,
+with a graceful bow, to the little girl.
+
+Dot shook hands with him, of course; but it made her shiver a little,
+the hand felt so soft and flabby; and when she withdrew her own hand
+she noticed upon it a fine white powder like flour. This she brushed
+off, but the little man laughed and said. "It's only powdered sugar,
+my dear. I'm obliged to keep myself covered with it, you know, so I
+won't stick to things."
+
+"But--but I don't understand," stammered the girl. "Aren't you made
+like other people?"
+
+"Certainly; I am made like everyone I have ever seen until I met you
+and this little boy. It strikes me you are the ones who are queerly
+made. You don't seem to be candy at all."
+
+"Oh no!" said Dot, in a matter-of-fact way. "We're just flesh and
+blood and bones."
+
+"And clothes," added Tot, who was looking with greedy eyes at the
+strange little man.
+
+"Well, well!" said the man, thoughtfully tapping the ground with his
+cane; "what strange creatures you must be. In this Valley everyone is
+made of candy."
+
+"And everything else is candy," exclaimed the little woman, who was
+peering over the man's shoulder and had not spoken before.
+
+"Oh yes; everything we know of is candy except the river," continued
+the man.
+
+"Are you candy?" asked Tot, with wide open eyes.
+
+"To be sure. My bones are all made of stick candy and my flesh is
+marshmallow. That is why I must keep myself covered with powdered
+sugar; otherwise I would melt or stick to everything I touched. My
+wife is made in the same way, and we are very proud to know we are
+very pure and wholesome."
+
+"What do you eat?" asked Tot, curiously.
+
+"We eat candy, of course; that is what makes us so fat. Candy is very
+fattening, you know," said the little man cheerfully.
+
+"But you haven't any teeth," remarked Dot, who had noticed this fact.
+
+"Teeth! Certainly not. No one can eat much candy and still have
+teeth. Haven't you heard that candy always destroys a person's
+teeth?"
+
+"I've been told so," replied Dot.
+
+"But we get along very nicely without them. Indeed, our lives are
+decidedly sweet and peaceful."
+
+Just then they heard a shrill scream, and at once the woman rushed
+toward the house, running in a very comical manner because she was so
+short and fat.
+
+"That's the voice of our youngest child, the baby," explained the
+man. "I fear some accident has happened to it. One of our greatest
+troubles is that we cannot depend upon our colored servants, who are
+chocolate. Chocolates can seldom be depended on, you know."
+
+"I hope nothing serious has happened to your baby," said Dot, with
+ready sympathy.
+
+"Probably not," answered the candy man. "But I hope you will now
+permit me to escort you to my house. You must be hungry; and I will
+have luncheon served at once."
+
+"Thank you," said Dot.
+
+So, led by their fat little host, who waddled as he walked in a way
+that made Tot laugh, they went to the house and were ushered into the
+front parlor.
+
+The room was beautifully furnished; but the chairs, tables, pictures
+and ornaments were all composed of candy of some sort, and there was
+a fragrant odor of wintergreen, peppermint and rose about the room
+that made Tot's mouth water in delightful anticipation. The boy
+seated himself in a pretty pink and white chair, and Dot sat down
+upon a small sofa; but happening to remember the sofa was candy, she
+quickly arose and remained standing, although she was also a little
+afraid of the sticky floor, which seemed to be well powdered.
+
+Soon the woman entered the room and, having welcomed them, she said,
+"Our colored nurse, Aunt Lowney, had left the baby, little Huyler,
+out in the sun, and before she noticed he was getting warm, his left
+hand had all melted away. That was what made him cry."
+
+"Oh, that is terrible!" cried Dot, clasping her hands in horror at
+the sad accident. "What can you do for the poor child?"
+
+"I have sent Aunt Lowney into the marshmallow field to get him some
+more fingers. We shall be able to patch him up all right, I think, so
+do not let it distress you. Accidents are always happening in our
+Valley. But I will order luncheon served at once, for you must be
+hungry after your journey."
+
+She then left the room, but soon returned, followed by two serving
+maids, with complexions so dark brown in color that Dot was almost
+afraid of them.
+
+"They are only chocolate, you know," whispered the man, "and quite
+harmless when taken in moderation."
+
+Dot hardly understood what he meant, but felt more at ease after the
+explanation.
+
+The maids brought many candy dishes to the table all filled with
+delicious bonbons and sugar-plums of every description. There were
+apples, pears, oranges and grapes, berries and peaches, rose-leaves
+and violets; but all were composed of candy and proved delightful
+eating. For drink they had pink lemonade, served in dainty candy
+cups.
+
+"This pink lemonade," said the woman, "is one of the features of our
+Valley, through which it flows in a pretty stream. Sometimes we also
+drink the river water, but not often, for it is hardly sticky enough
+for our taste. Our luncheon is now ready, so please draw your chairs
+to the table."
+
+Tot tried to rise then, but found he was stuck fast to his chair,
+owing to the heat of his body having warmed the candy. Finding he
+could not get up he began to cry, but Dot helped him, and by
+carefully pulling his clothes away, an inch at a time, she managed to
+get him loose. His clothes left a soft fuzz upon the seat and back of
+the chair, and to avoid further trouble, the candy man scattered
+powdered sugar over the chairs in which Dot and Tot sat at the table.
+
+"I suppose it will powder your clothes somewhat," said he, "but they
+can be brushed clean before you leave the Valley."
+
+The children enjoyed their novel luncheon. "It's the first time,"
+whispered Dot to Tot, "I ever had all the candy I wanted to eat."
+
+"Won't we get sick?" asked the boy, who was busily eating a delicious
+peach--rose candy outside and a soft, delicate cream within.
+
+"I suppose so," answered Dot, truthfully, "but there's nothing else
+to eat, you see."
+
+"Don't want nuthin' else," said Tot.
+
+"Allegretti," called the woman to one of the brown maids, "bring a
+dish of those new cocoanut-kisses for our guests. Won't you have a
+few more maple caramels?" she asked, politely, turning to Dot.
+
+"No, thank you," replied the child; "I've eaten so much already that
+I fear I shall be ill."
+
+"Oh, nonsense!" returned the little man; "you cannot become ill
+eating this sort of candy, for it's the purest in all the world. But
+if you lived here always you would doubtless become as fat as we are,
+and probably you would lose all your teeth."
+
+"We're not going to stay," answered Dot, in alarm. "We shall have to
+start in just a few minutes."
+
+"But not until you have taken a short walk around our Valley,"
+remonstrated the little man. "You may never come here again, you
+know, and it is a very sweet sight."
+
+They agreed to join their kind host in a walk, and after the candy
+man had carefully dusted himself afresh with powdered sugar, they
+started out.
+
+As they walked up the street, they noticed that many people came to
+the doors of the candy houses and looked at the strangers with great
+curiosity. These people seemed made of many different kinds of candy,
+but all were quite fat, and had their clothes painted upon them in
+bright colors, like the candy images that are sold in shops at
+Christmas time.
+
+"Aren't the people here very brittle?" asked Dot, as they walked
+along.
+
+"Yes, I may admit they are somewhat brittle," answered the man. "That
+is one of the drawbacks we suffer from being made of candy. Only two
+days ago, Mr. Gunther, a particular friend of mine, fell down a hill
+and was broken into seventeen different pieces."
+
+"Dear me!" exclaimed Dot. "What did you do with him?"
+
+"Oh, as he was ruined beyond repair, we divided him up among the
+neighbors who loved him best, and ate him the next morning for
+breakfast."
+
+"Ate him!" cried the girl, who was greatly shocked.
+
+"Certainly; Mr. Gunther was a very sweet man."
+
+"But this is horrible," said Dot, with a shudder. "You are all
+cannibals!"
+
+"Cannibals! What are those?" inquired the candy man.
+
+"Why, people who eat each other," said Dot.
+
+"Oh, then we are cannibals, sure enough," declared the little man,
+calmly.
+
+"But cannibals are wicked creatures," said the child, aghast at such
+savagery.
+
+"Is it wicked to eat candy in the country where you live?" demanded
+the man.
+
+"No; but then people are not made of candy there."
+
+"Well, here there is nothing else than candy; so if we eat at all we
+must eat candy. Is it wicked to eat in the country you came from?"
+
+"No," replied Dot, who was beginning to be puzzled at all this.
+
+"Then," said the little man, "you cannot consider us wicked for
+eating each other. Of course, we never eat anyone who is not broken;
+but when a man breaks himself into seventeen parts, it is considered
+quite a compliment to him for the neighbors who feast upon his
+pieces."
+
+This did not seem quite right to Dot, but she did not know how to
+reply; and to add to her confusion, the candy man suddenly held up
+his left hand, which he had placed behind him as he talked, and
+showed her that his thumb and two of the fingers were missing.
+
+"Why, what can have happened to them?" she asked, in real distress.
+
+The candy man looked at his hand carefully, and then quickly turned
+and looked at Tot.
+
+"There are marks of teeth on my hand," said he, "and no one in this
+Valley has teeth except you two children."
+
+"Tot!" cried Dot; "did you bite off this gentleman's fingers?"
+
+Tot hung his head.
+
+"Answer me!" said the girl. "Have you been eating our friend?"
+
+"Well," said Tot, slowly, "he said the folks here were good to eat;
+an'--an'--he held his hand behind his back--right in front of my
+mouth; an'--so I took one of little bite off his fingers, an'--"
+
+"Tot," said Dot, "I'm ashamed of you! The idea of eating one who has
+been so kind to us, and so soon after luncheon, too!"
+
+"Pray, do not scold him," said the candy man. "He says I am good to
+eat, and that makes me so proud that I shall not mind the loss of my
+fingers. When I have time I can get some new ones patched on; so it
+does not matter much in the least."
+
+Still, Dot was hurt and angry at the occurrence, and Tot walked
+behind them with hanging head.
+
+Very soon they saw, sitting by the roadside, a child who was so
+exceedingly black in color that Dot exclaimed:
+
+"Surely, that baby isn't made of chocolate!"
+
+"No," said her friend, "that's a licorice child. We have a few of
+them in the Valley and they are much admired. But here is our stream
+of pink lemonade, and we will cross it by this little bridge."
+
+The bridge was remarkably pretty, being made of pea-green and
+orange-colored candy, twisted together and ornamented with dainty frosted
+work such as bakers put upon wedding cakes.
+
+Upon reaching the other side of the stream they found themselves near
+the mountains, which shut in the far side of the Valley. Dot looked
+up at these mountains and asked, curiously, "Who are all those people
+sitting on the rocks?"
+
+At the question, Tot looked up also and saw long rows of candy men
+and women sitting close together at the foot of the mountains.
+
+"Those people are the gum chewers," replied their guide.
+
+"What are they doing there?" inquired the girl.
+
+"They are being punished," returned the candy man, gravely. "If you
+look over yonder, to the left, you will see a number of low bushes.
+On these grow all kinds of chewing gums, and sometimes those who are
+naughty go out there and pick the sticks of gum."
+
+"But I thought they had no teeth," said Dot.
+
+"Nor have they; but their gums are hardened by long use, so they are
+able to chew as well as you do. This gum-chewing is a very
+disagreeable habit, as doubtless you know; so when anyone is
+discovered indulging in this habit, we make them come out here to the
+mountains and sit on the rocks for seven days and seven nights. It is
+a terrible disgrace, of course; but all naughtiness must be punished
+in some way."
+
+Dot watched the gum-chewers thoughtfully for a time, being ashamed to
+remember that she herself had often been guilty of indulging in this
+condemned habit; but she said nothing about it, and soon they turned
+and retraced their steps past the bridge and the village and the home
+of their kind host, coming at last to the river's edge where they had
+landed.
+
+Here Dot and Tot were surprised to find one end of their boat filled
+with delicious looking candies, which the colored maids had placed
+there during their walk, being directed in the work by the little
+candy woman with the Shaker bonnet.
+
+Dot thanked the kind lady earnestly, for the food she had brought in
+the basket was nearly gone. Then the candy lady gave each of the
+children a sweet kiss, and the candy man shook hands with them, being
+careful not to let Tot bite off any more of his fingers.
+
+Our little adventurers now seated themselves in the boat, and the
+chocolate maids pushed it off the bank for them. Soon they were
+drifting down the river again, and before long reached the archway
+that led to the Third Valley of Merryland.
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 9
+  THE THIRD VALLEY
+
+Soft strains of sweet and soothing music fell upon the ears of the
+children as the boat glided silently through the arch that led into
+the Third Valley. Then the jagged rocks surrounding them melted away
+in the rear, and they passed into a country that lay peaceful and
+smiling under the pleasant rays of the sun.
+
+At first, Dot thought the entire Valley was carpeted with soft, white
+plush, but afterward she found it was a silken moss which grew
+thickly everywhere. There were a few trees, with wide-spreading
+branches, and upon these grew beautiful flowers that filled the air
+with delicate perfume, but in most places the Valley, which was
+shaped like a great cup with gently sloping sides, was open to the
+warm rays of summer sunshine which flooded it.
+
+The entire scene was pretty to look upon; but what made the
+children's eyes open wide with wonder was the sight of hundreds of
+little, naked babies lying about upon the soft moss. They were waving
+their dimpled arms about, kicking out their chubby feet, or holding
+their tiny, fat thumbs in their mouths, while they cooed and crowed
+in a very happy and contented way. The breeze that blew gently
+through the trees made the music Dot and Tot heard; but the strains
+were soft and low, and seemed like a lullaby to hush the babies to
+sleep.
+
+Some of these little ones were sleeping as the boat drew near, and
+they looked cozy and comfortable as they lay curled up on the moss;
+but others were wide awake and full of playfulness, while none of
+them cried or fretted or seemed a bit cross.
+
+The babies were not the only inhabitants of this strange Valley,
+however. Walking among them were several long-legged, solemn-looking
+Storks, pure white in color, with splashes of black upon their wings.
+They appeared to act as nurses or guardians of the babies, and every
+now and then would fill a bottle with sweet milk from the fountain,
+and placed it beside a baby that acted as if it might be hungry. This
+fountain stood in about the center of the Valley and sent many sprays
+of new milk into the air, from whence it fell in graceful curves into
+a big basin of pure white marble. The nursing bottles were kept on a
+wide shelf at the edge of the fountain, where they were handy for the
+Storks to use.
+
+While Dot and Tot were looking at the strange sights of this Valley,
+which was so different from the others they had seen, their boat
+drifted close to the shore, and one or two of the Storks came down to
+the river bank and looked at them curiously with their bright eyes.
+
+Then one of the big, long-legged birds spoke to them in a voice that
+was soft and pleasing. "Why did you come to our Valley?" it asked.
+"You are too old to become babies again."
+
+"Oh, we're not babies," said Dot, earnestly. "We're quite grown up.
+And we came here because we could not help it. In a few minutes we
+will go away again into the next Valley."
+
+"Oh," said the Stork, "very well."
+
+"Isn't that milk I see in the fountain?" asked the child, after a
+little pause.
+
+"Certainly it is," answered the Stork; "we feed the babies with it."
+
+"Could--could I have a drink of it?" asked Dot, who was thirsty from
+eating so much candy.
+
+"Why, bless the child! Of course you can. We have plenty and to
+spare. Come on shore at once, but be careful not to step on the
+babies."
+
+"I want a drink, too!" cried Tot, who had been so much astonished to
+hear a bird speak that he had remained silent until now.
+
+"You may both drink as much as you wish," replied the Stork, in a
+kindly voice.
+
+So the children stepped out upon the bank and fastened their boat,
+that it might not float away without them. Then, taking each other's
+hands, they followed the Stork over the silken moss to the fountain.
+There were no cups, so Dot and Tot drank from bottles; but they
+thought it the most delicious milk they had ever tasted.
+
+While Dot was drinking she happened to look up into the sky, and
+something she saw there made her utter a cry of surprise. A fleecy,
+flower-like bud was floating, lightly as thistle-down, high in the
+air, and seemed to be slowly dropping into the Valley.
+
+"What is that?" asked the girl, wonderingly.
+
+"That?" answered the Stork, turning its head sideways so that its
+round, black eye could look at the sky; "why, that's a baby-blossom
+to be sure."
+
+"And what is a baby-blossom?" inquired Dot.
+
+"Wait a moment and you will see," replied the Stork.
+
+Slowly and gently the white object floated downward, and even as Dot
+and Tot watched it, the fleecy blossom sank upon the moss a few feet
+from where they stood. Then one white leaf unfolded, and another, and
+still another, until they saw lying in the center of the flower a
+beautiful baby, fast asleep. While the children looked upon this
+sight, hushed and silent at the wonder of it, the leaves of the
+blossom faded away and disappeared, while the new baby rolled over
+and opened wide its big, blue eyes.
+
+"It will be hungry after the long journey," said the old Stork, and,
+filling a bottle at the fountain, the bird carried it in its long
+bill to the baby and began to feed it, crooning at the same time the
+following verse:
+
+  Hushaby, lullaby,
+  Sweet flower from the sky;
+  Glad be thy dreams, for thy
+  Life lies before thee.
+  Soon shalt thou be at rest,
+  Soon fondled and caressed,
+  Pressed to the mother's breast
+  Who will adore thee.
+
+The baby looked up at the Stork, smiled sweetly and then closed its
+eyes in sleep; while Tot, who had watched this scene with much
+interest, asked in a low voice, "Do all the babies come from the
+sky?"
+
+The old Stork did not seem to hear him; but another bird, which was
+busily filling nursing bottles at the fountain, replied:
+
+"Certainly, they do."
+
+"I should think it would get crowded," said practical Dot, "for here
+comes another blossom."
+
+"Two of 'em!" added Tot, looking upwards.
+
+Indeed, two more of the baby-blossoms were seen floating down from
+the clear, blue sky, and the children watched them until they settled
+upon the white moss and opened their leaves, setting free two more
+rosy, new-born babies.
+
+The Stork at the fountain was now singing an odd little song in a
+soft, cooing voice, and as Dot listened she caught the following
+words:
+
+  Coo-oo-oo, Coo-oo-oo!
+  Babies are born ev'ry minute, 'tis true
+  Babies are best when they're chubby and new;
+  'Most anybody will want one or two;
+  Some people willingly take quite a few.
+  Here comes another! For babies are due
+  To fall when they're fresh and tender and new.
+  Coo-oo-oo, Coo-oo-oo!
+  Babies are blossoms that fall like the dew.
+
+Just then the older Stork, which seemed to be the chief of the
+nurses, came toward the fountain and said to another of the birds,
+"It is time to take one of the babies into the world. They are coming
+quite fast to-day, and we must make room for the new ones."
+
+"Very well," answered the other. They walked among the babies until
+they came to one quite big and strong, who was lying fast asleep.
+This baby the Stork picked up very tenderly and placed upon the other
+bird's back, twining its little arms around the long, soft neck, to
+which it clung tightly.
+
+Then, spreading its great wings, the Stork flew into the air, bearing
+the baby gently, and sailed over the edge of the Valley into the
+world beyond, where it disappeared from view.
+
+"That is the way we keep our Valley from getting crowded," said the
+old Stork.
+
+"Do you suppose," asked Dot, "that I lived here once, when I was a
+baby?"
+
+"Probably," answered the bird. "But, of course, I cannot remember all
+the babies, especially after they grow big."
+
+"Oh, of course not," exclaimed the girl.
+
+"Course not," said Tot; "too many of 'em."
+
+"Now, if you will excuse me, I'll feed the two babies who have just
+arrived," said the motherly old Stork; and so the children watched it
+and the other Storks for some time, and admired the gentle way in
+which they tended the babies, and heard again and again the crooning
+song:
+
+  Hushaby, lullaby,
+  Sweet flower from the sky,
+
+which always seemed to have the effect of sending the babies to
+sleep.
+
+Having taken one more drink at the fountain and said goodbye to the
+kind Storks, Dot and Tot returned to their boat.
+
+As they pushed it out into the stream, Dot asked a Stork that stood
+watching them:
+
+"What is in the next Valley?"
+
+"Oh, the Queen of all Merryland lives there," answered the bird, "for
+that is the Fourth Valley, and lies in the center of the Seven."
+
+Then, with a feeling of awe at their approach to the Queen who ruled
+this wonderful land, the children turned their eyes anxiously toward
+the fourth archway. But as the boat drifted through its entrance, Tot
+looked back into the Valley they were leaving and noticed another
+baby-blossom floating down from the sky, while the voice of a Stork
+sang softly:
+
+  "Coo-oo-oo, Coo-oo-oo!
+  Babies are born every minute, 'tis true."
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 10
+  The Queen of Merryland
+
+When the boat carried Dot and Tot beyond the rocky arch that led to
+the Fourth and most important Valley of Merry-land, the children held
+their breaths in suspense; for here lived the Queen of all this
+wonderful country, and they had no idea what she was like.
+
+"Perhaps she will be angry with us for disobeying the Watch-Dog's
+orders," Dot whispered; "and then she may punish us in some terrible
+manner."
+
+"No, she won't," replied Tot, confidently.
+
+"Perhaps she will make us slaves and compel us to work for her,"
+continued Dot, with a little shudder.
+
+"No, she won't," protested Tot, stoutly.
+
+"Why won't she, Tot?" asked the girl.
+
+"'Cause it's Merryland," returned the boy.
+
+"Ah! That's true," said Dot, thoughtfully; "the Queen of this lovely
+and happy country couldn't be very cross with us."
+
+"Course not," agreed Tot.
+
+"Then we won't be afraid," she added, her courage restored by Tot's
+simple faith; "but will wait and see what happens to us."
+
+The boat now swept around a bend in the river, and they saw they were
+in a Valley somewhat larger than any they had yet visited; but their
+view was shut off by a high wall that ran along the river bank on one
+side, and by the rocky edge of the Valley on the other side.
+
+The wall was higher than their heads when they stood up in the boat,
+and upon its top Dot noticed several little wooden soldiers, with
+guns on their shoulders, walking stiffly back and forth, as if they
+were keeping guard. Each of these soldiers was seemingly made out of
+one piece of wood, and wore a high black hat and a red coat with
+black buttons, while his trousers were painted white. The guns did
+not look very dangerous, and Dot remembered that once she had owned a
+box of just such looking soldiers as these.
+
+But the soldiers on the wall were moving around, and Dot's soldiers
+had never moved at all--at least, while she was looking at them. What
+they might have done when she was not looking she, of course, could
+not tell.
+
+The wooden soldiers paid no attention to the boat, which glided
+slowly down the stream, while the children looked for a place to
+land.
+
+"Perhaps we'll float right through the Valley," whispered Dot, "and
+then the Queen will never know we've been in her country at all."
+
+In a few moments, however, they saw a gate in the wall, made of wood
+and nearly covered with gold and silver plates that shone brightly in
+the sun. In front of this gate was a little landing place and some
+steps leading down to the river. They floated up to the steps and
+stopped, so Dot and Tot got out and tied the boat to a silver ring in
+the wall. Then they walked to the gate, where Dot was just putting
+out her hand to open it, when she heard a voice cry:
+
+"Halt!"
+
+She looked up and saw that on each side of the gate was standing one
+of the wooden soldiers. Their guns were pointed straight at Dot and
+Tot, and although the soldiers were not much taller than Tot's knee,
+the children were startled at their warlike attitude and stood still
+in surprise.
+
+"Can't we open the gate?" asked the girl, after a moment.
+
+"No!" answered one of the soldiers, in a voice he tried to make
+gruff, but which sounded rather squeaky, as if it needed oiling.
+
+"Why not?" inquired Tot.
+
+"It's against orders," replied the soldier. "The Queen has commanded
+me to shoot any stranger who tries to open the gate."
+
+"But your gun is only wood," said Dot, who was annoyed at the
+soldier's interference.
+
+"Wooden guns can't shoot!" shouted Tot, gleefully.
+
+The soldier seemed somewhat embarrassed at this and Dot thought he
+blushed a little.
+
+"It does not matter whether my gun will shoot or not," he answered,
+stiffly. "I am ordered not to let anyone open the gate."
+
+"But you have no right to give me orders," said the girl. "I don't
+belong to Merryland, so your Queen has no authority over either Tot
+or me."
+
+"Then why are you here, if you don't belong here?" asked the soldier.
+
+Dot hesitated to reply, for she felt the rebuke this question
+implied.
+
+"We couldn't help coming," she explained, at last; "the boat brought
+us."
+
+"Well, since you are here," said the soldier, "you must obey the laws
+of this country and the Queen who rules it."
+
+"That's rubbish!" cried Dot, now thoroughly provoked. "You can't obey
+the orders of your Queen yourself."
+
+"Why not?" inquired the soldier, in surprise.
+
+"You were ordered to shoot, were you not?"
+
+"Certainly."
+
+"Well, you can't shoot, for your gun is made of wood. So you cannot
+obey orders."
+
+"But if you had not come here," protested the soldier, "I should have
+had no occasion to shoot. So it is all your fault."
+
+"Perhaps so," replied Dot; "but I mean to open the gate in spite of
+your orders."
+
+She raised the latch and the gate began to swing slowly back upon its
+hinges; but when it had partly opened, she saw standing before her
+another wooden soldier, dressed like a Captain, who held in his hand
+a wooden sword.
+
+"Stand back!" cried the Captain. "If you advance another step I will
+stick my sword into you."
+
+Dot looked at the sword and saw that the point of it was really
+sharp. So she stopped short and said, "Does the Queen of Merryland
+live here?"
+
+"She does," replied the Captain.
+
+"Then please let her know that I have come to call upon her,"
+continued Dot. She was a wise little girl, and knew that while she
+might safely argue with the helpless soldiers, it was far better to
+be polite to the Captain with the sharp sword.
+
+At her request the officer bowed courteously and blew upon a pewter
+whistle that hung around his neck. In answer to the summons another
+soldier appeared, who saluted his Captain respectfully.
+
+"Go to her Majesty the Queen," commanded the officer, "and tell her
+there are two strangers at the gate who wish to see her."
+
+At once the soldier started upon his mission, and the little wooden
+Captain turned to Dot and Tot, saying, "You may come within the gate
+and sit down while you await the commands of our Queen; but if she
+will not receive you, of course you must go out again."
+
+So the children passed through the gateway, which the Captain closed
+behind them, and sat down upon a small wooden bench built against the
+wall. Then they began to look around, for now before their eyes was
+the Fourth Valley of Merryland, the home of the Queen.
+
+"Why, it's just like a toy village!" cried Dot, after the first look.
+
+It really was something like a toy village. There were several pretty
+streets, with rows of little houses facing them, and each house was
+much ornamented and brightly painted. Before the houses were rows of
+trees which seemed to have been whittled out of wood, for the leaves
+looked like shavings. These trees were colored a bright emerald
+green, and each one stood upon a little round platform of its own.
+The grass also looked like wood shavings, and was dyed the same
+bright green color as the trees.
+
+Dot gazed dreamily at the houses and thought they resembled the big
+doll's playhouse her papa had once given her for Christmas, and which
+now was standing in the attic of her city home.
+
+At the far end of the main street, which ran down to the gate where
+they sat, was a house much bigger than the others, having for a roof
+a round dome which shone in the sun as if made of gold. This house
+was built in a remarkably beautiful and artistic manner, and before
+it, upon a bright green lawn, stood many trees and flowering shrubs.
+
+"Who lives there?" Dot asked the wooden Captain.
+
+"That is the palace of her Majesty the Queen," was the reply.
+
+"Oh!" said Dot; "is she very big?"
+
+"Quite big," answered the Captain, proudly.
+
+"But," he added, "of course she is not so extremely large as you
+are."
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Dot again, and before he had time to say anything
+more she saw a carriage drive around to the front of the palace. Then
+the door quickly opened, and what looked to be a lady came out and
+entered the carriage.
+
+It was so far away she could not see the lady clearly at first; but
+soon the carriage came rolling swiftly toward them, and both Dot and
+Tot stood up that they might see plainly who was coming.
+
+In a remarkably short time the carriage reached the gate and stopped
+short, and now the children's eyes were big with wonder as they
+looked upon it and its occupants.
+
+The carriage itself was of the kind that are sold in toy shops, and
+it was drawn by two horses standing upon wooden platforms with
+rollers underneath, so that instead of the horses themselves running,
+the wheels of the platforms whirled around, taking the carriage
+wherever the driver might direct. This driver looked for all the
+world like a rag doll dressed in a coachman's uniform. His neck was
+rather weak, and that caused his head to lean slightly to one side,
+giving him a somewhat broken-down appearance; but he held the reins
+firmly in his stuffed hands and looked straight ahead, like a
+well-trained servant.
+
+Seated in the carriage was the loveliest Wax Doll the children had
+ever looked upon. She was nearly as big as Tot, and was exquisitely
+dressed in a gown of soft, fluffy white material, with many pink
+ribbons upon her shoulders and sleeves, and a broad sash around her
+waist. Her silken hair was long and of a golden color, while her eyes
+were blue, and had in their depths a sweet and gentle expression. As
+for her complexion, it was a dainty pink-and-white, delicately
+blended. Upon her head she wore a golden crown with seven points upon
+it, and each point was tipped with a gleaming jewel.
+
+Almost at first sight Dot longed to hold the Wax Doll in her arms and
+love and fondle her, and Tot suddenly became so bashful that he took
+off his hat and bowed his head to the "sweet lady" (as he called
+her), with his eyes bent upon the ground.
+
+Yet scarcely had the children taken a good look at this delightful
+creature, when the Wax Doll leaped lightly from the carriage and
+stood before them, showing, as she did so, that her feet were clad in
+white satin slippers, embroidered with silver.
+
+"Who are you?" she asked, in a pleasant voice, but with some anxiety,
+Dot thought; "and how did you ever get to Merryland?"
+
+"We came in a boat," replied the girl; "and this is my friend, Tot
+Thompson, and I am Dot Freeland."
+
+"Dot F'eelun," murmured Tot, shyly lifting his eyes and nodding his
+head.
+
+"But you shouldn't have come here," said the little lady. "This is
+private property, and I have placed guards to prevent anyone entering
+my Valleys."
+
+"Are you the Queen?" asked the girl.
+
+"Yes, I am Queen of all Merryland; and I cannot understand why my
+guards have disobeyed my orders."
+
+"Oh, the guards were all right," said Dot. "It was we who disobeyed.
+But we really couldn't help it, for we had to go wherever the boat
+carried us."
+
+Then she told the Queen all the story of their adventures, and of how
+they had been carried by accident into the Valleys of Merryland.
+
+After she had heard the story, the little lady looked puzzled for a
+moment and then said, "No one who enters my kingdom should ever be
+allowed to leave it again, for if they did the world should soon know
+all about me and my people. If that happened, all our comfort and fun
+would be spoiled, for strangers would be coming here every day."
+
+"Have strangers been here before?" asked Dot, timidly.
+
+"Never," answered the Queen.
+
+"Then what are you going to do with us?" inquired the girl.
+
+"Really, I do not know. You see, I am so perplexed that I have
+stopped smiling, and that will never do in the world; for should the
+weather change and cool my wax, I would remain solemn until it warmed
+up again, and my people would then think me unworthy to be the Queen
+of Merryland."
+
+"I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble," said Dot, softly.
+"I'd much rather be at home again, if I could, although your Valleys
+are so queer and delightful."
+
+Then the Queen again smiled upon them.
+
+"Don't worry, my dear," she exclaimed, brightly, "I'll find some way
+out of our difficulty when I have used my thinking machine. Until
+then you must come to my palace and be treated as my guests."
+
+"Thank you," said Dot and Tot together.
+
+The Queen turned to the wooden Captain and commanded:
+
+"Escort these strangers to my royal palace, and see that you treat
+them most politely; for although they are in reality my prisoners,
+they have been guilty of no intentional wrong and seem to be nice
+children."
+
+The wooden Captain removed his wooden hat and bowed very low, so low
+indeed that Tot could see the peg on the top of his head that held
+the hat on when it was in place.
+
+"Your Majesty's commands shall be obeyed," he said.
+
+Then the Queen stepped into her carriage, the rag coachman cracked
+his whip, and the wheels of the horses' platform began spinning
+around. Then the Queen rode swiftly up the street to her royal
+palace.
+
+Dot and Tot followed more slowly, for the Captain who escorted them
+was exceedingly small and walked stiffly, having no joints in his
+knees. As they trudged along Tot asked the Captain:
+
+"Why do the horses go on wheels?"
+
+"Because they're made that way, I suppose," was the reply.
+
+"Why don't they make 'em to walk on their legs?" continued the boy.
+
+"It would tire them too much," answered the Captain. "Being on
+platforms, the horses never get tired, you see, for the wheels do all
+the work."
+
+"Oh!" said Tot, "I see." Then, after a pause, he asked:
+
+"What do you feed 'em?"
+
+"Cotton," answered the Captain. "We keep them quite full of it all
+the time. That's what makes them look so plump and healthy. What do
+they feed horses on in your country?"
+
+"Hay," said Tot.
+
+"We tried stuffing ours with hay once," remarked the Captain; "but it
+made their skins look lumpy, it was so coarse; so now we use cotton
+altogether."
+
+"I see," said Tot again, in a rather bewildered voice.
+
+The street they were walking upon was smooth and level, and the
+houses they passed were neat and pretty; but both the children
+noticed there were no people to be seen anywhere about the village.
+This seemed strange, and Dot was about ask who lived in the houses,
+when they arrived at the gate of the palace, upon which the Captain
+knocked three times with the handle of his wooden sword.
+
+Thereupon the gate opened slowly, and they passed into a beautiful
+flower garden, and walked along the green-bordered paths until they
+came to the high-arched doorway of the palace.
+
+Dot had only time to notice that there were seven golden stars above
+the doorway, when the Queen herself appeared and led them through a
+hall into her drawing room, having dismissed the wooden Captain with
+a nod of her royal head.
+
+Although the house was by far the biggest one in the Valley, the tops
+of the doors were only a little way above Dot's head, and when the
+children sat down in the drawing room they chose the biggest chairs,
+and found them just about the right size.
+
+"Now, my dears," said the pretty Queen, "it is almost dinner time,
+and I know you must be nearly starved; so I will have you shown at
+once to your rooms, and when you have bathed your faces and brushed
+your clothes you shall have something nice to eat."
+
+She touched a bell that stood upon a table near by, and at once there
+came into the room a little boy doll, dressed in a brown suit with
+brass buttons. He was larger in size than any doll Tot had seen
+outside of Merryland, yet he was not so big as the Queen herself.
+When the children looked at him closely, they could see that his face
+and hands and feet were knitted from colored worsteds, while his eyes
+were two big black beads.
+
+This curious doll walked straight up to the Queen and bowed before
+her, while she said, "Scollops, show this young man to the laughing
+chamber, and wait upon him while he arranges his toilet."
+
+Scollops, as the knitted boy seemed named, bowed again and murmured,
+"Your Majesty shall be obeyed." Then, turning to Tot, he took his
+hand and led him from the room. The hand felt soft and woolly to Tot,
+but he did not object to it, for Scollops had a merry expression to
+his face that won the little boy's heart at once.
+
+"Where are we going?" he asked, as they began to mount the stairs.
+
+"To the laughing chamber," replied Scollops; and having reached the
+top of the stairs, they walked down a long hallway and entered a room
+so odd and pretty that Tot stopped short and gazed at it in
+astonishment.
+
+In many ways it was like an ordinary room, for it contained a
+dresser, a bed, chairs and a table. But upon the wall were painted
+hundreds of heads of children--boys and girls of all countries, with
+light and dark hair, straight and curly hair, blue and black and
+brown and gray eyes, and all with laughing faces. The posts of the
+bed were also carved into laughing baby faces; the chairs and the
+dresser showed a face upon every spot where there was a place for
+one, and every face throughout the whole room had a smile upon it. To
+match the rest of the furniture, the carpet had woven upon it in
+bright colors all kinds of laughing children's faces, and the effect
+of the queer room was to make Tot himself laugh until the tears roll
+down his cheeks.
+
+When the boy had looked the room over and seen all the faces,
+Scollops helped him to wash his hands and face, to comb his hair and
+to brush his clothes, and when this task was finished, the woolly
+doll said:
+
+"I will now show you why this room is called the laughing chamber.
+Lie down upon the bed a moment--but don't get your shoes against the
+clean covers."
+
+Tot lay down upon the bed, and at once heard a sweet, tinkling chorus
+of laughter coming from every part of the room. It was so delightful
+and soothing that he listened to it rapture. Softly his eyes closed,
+and in another moment he would have been sound asleep had not
+Scollops raised him to his feet and said:
+
+"It is not time for sleep yet, for you haven't had your dinner. But
+the laughing faces will make you slumber peacefully when the time
+comes, and give you pleasant dreams, too."
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 11
+  The Palace of Wonders
+
+No sooner had Scollops taken Tot from the drawing room than the Queen
+touched her bell a second time, and in answer to the summons a neatly
+dressed doll maid entered the room and made her bow before her pretty
+mistress. This maid was a pleasant looking little person; but Dot
+noticed her eyebrows were painted upon her face, and her hair seemed
+painted on, too, only the little white cap nearly covered it, so it
+didn't show much.
+
+"Twinkle," said the Queen, "show this young lady to the musical
+chamber and wait upon her as she dresses for dinner." Then, turning
+to Dot, she added, "I shall retire to my own room and use my thinking
+machine while you are gone, so that I may know what to do with you.
+Your coming has completely upset my life, for I never thought to see
+strangers in Merryland. But you must not worry. Doubtless, my
+thinking machine will show me exactly what to do with you, and in any
+event I could not harm two such gentle children as you and Tot."
+
+She nodded smilingly and left the room, while the maid Twinkle led
+Dot up the stairs and along the hallway to her room.
+
+The girl thought she had never seen a prettier chamber, although she
+had always been daintily cared for by her wealthy parents. The
+bedstead was of pure ivory, and the pillows were covered with
+creamy-white silk, embroidered with white flowers. The bedspread was of
+pure white, too, and over it were thickly sewn many brilliant diamonds,
+while the fringe along the edges was made of diamond beads. The
+chairs and sofas were covered with white brocaded silks, and the
+velvet carpet was scattered with lilies-of-the-valley on a delicate
+green groundwork.
+
+In one corner stood a beautiful little dressing table with a big
+mirror above it, and through a draped doorway Dot saw a luxurious
+little bathroom with a tub of white marble.
+
+"It's a lovely room," said Dot to the maid; "but why did the Queen
+call it the musical chamber?"
+
+"Sit down, please," was Twinkle's reply. So Dot seated herself in an
+easy chair, and no sooner had she touched the cushions than the
+sweetest strains of music fell upon her ears. She listened to it
+delightedly until the piece was finished, when Twinkle raised her to
+her feet.
+
+"The music will play as long as you sit there," she said. "Try the
+sofa."
+
+Then Dot sat upon one of the sofas, and heard the strains of a
+military band, seemingly far away, but sounding sweetly and
+distinctly, nevertheless.
+
+Twinkle now led her to the bath-room that she might bathe her face
+and hands, and when the water fell into the basin it played an
+inspiring waltz tune. The brushes which the maid passed through Dot's
+hair were musical, too, and everything she touched seemed to play to
+her the most ravishing strains of melody.
+
+"Now," said Twinkle, "lie down upon the bed a moment."
+
+Dot obeyed, and heard a chorus of sweet, childish voices singing such
+dreamy, soothing lullabies that her eyes closed in spite of herself,
+and she was almost asleep when Twinkle aroused her and bade her
+attend the Queen's banquet.
+
+"The voices will sing you to sleep when bedtime comes," said the
+maid; "but now you must have dinner and learn what fate the Queen of
+Merryland has in store for you."
+
+She walked to a door that was half hidden behind a rich drapery, and,
+pushing it open, showed Dot that it led to the laughing chamber. It
+was with real pleasure that the girl saw her friend Tot, who had at
+that moment just risen from his bed.
+
+The boy eagerly showed her all the gay, mirthful faces in his room,
+and they made Dot laugh out of pure sympathy. Then she brought Tot
+into her own dainty chamber, where he sat upon a chair and heard an
+orchestra play a merry schottische. But Twinkle and Scollops were now
+impatient to hurry them away, so soon they descended the stairway
+again and were ushered into the royal banquet room.
+
+The Queen had arrived there before them, and her was face was smiling
+as sweetly as ever. She set Dot upon one side of her at the big table
+and Tot upon the other side.
+
+This table was spread with delicate glassware and rare vases of
+fragrant flowers, and the dishes they ate from they perceived were of
+solid gold.
+
+"How did you like your chamber?" the Queen asked Dot.
+
+"It is delightful," she answered. "I did not think there could be
+such a beautiful room in all the world."
+
+"And were you also pleased?" inquired the Wax Doll, turning toward
+the boy.
+
+"My room's fine," replied Tot; "it made me laugh!"
+
+The dinner was now served, and certainly no more delicious meal was
+ever eaten by children, unless they chanced to dine with the Queen of
+Merryland. There were many courses of rich and rare edibles, and each
+dish Dot and Tot thought could not be surpassed until they tasted the
+next one.
+
+"Really," said Dot with an admiring glance at her Majesty, "you must
+be a fairy."
+
+"To be sure I am!" laughed the pretty Queen.
+
+"Still, you are not like any fairy I have read about," continued the
+child, gravely.
+
+"No, I suppose not," returned the Wax Doll. "You must know that
+fairies are as different from one another as other people are, and
+the reason you have not read about me is because the folk who write
+fairy tales have never been to Merryland."
+
+"That is true," agreed Dot. "Tot and I were the first to discover
+you."
+
+"Yes, and you were very wrong to do so," added the Queen,
+reprovingly. "But I have used my thinking machine, as I promised, and
+it has shown me an easy way out of my difficulties."
+
+"What will you do with us?" asked Dot, looking at the Queen so
+anxiously that she forgot to drink her nectar.
+
+"I'm going to adopt you," was the calm reply.
+
+"Adopt us!" exclaimed the girl, wonderingly.
+
+"Yes, that is the only thing to do. You are going to be my adopted
+daughter, the Princess Dot of Merryland; and your companion must
+become my adopted son, Prince Tot of Merryland."
+
+"But must we always live here?" enquired Dot.
+
+"Can't we go home again?" demanded Tot.
+
+"Those are questions I cannot answer now," said the Queen. "For the
+time, at least, you must live with me, and I think you will be
+delighted with this Valley and all the pretty things I have to show
+you. Should you ever grow tired of Merryland we will talk about your
+leaving it. At present you will be wise to think of nothing but your
+happiness in becoming members of the royal family of this kingdom."
+
+The boy and girl listened to this silently and thoughtfully, for
+although the Queen smiled, she spoke with a dignity and authority
+that made them realize she was very much in earnest. But seeing that
+her guests looked serious and troubled, the little lady soon rose
+from the table, saying more cheerfully as she did so, "It is nearly
+time for my army to drill, so, if it please you, we will sit upon the
+balcony and eat our ice cream while we watch the soldiers."
+
+Dot and Tot sprang up at once and followed the Queen to a balcony
+that ran across the front of the palace. Here they seated themselves
+and were served with delicate ice-cream hollyhocks upon golden
+saucers by Twinkle and Scollops.
+
+"Why do you call the maid Twinkle?" Dot asked the Queen.
+
+"Because she steps so quickly and so softly, like the twinkling of a
+star, and because her eyes are so bright and sparkling," answered the
+Wax Doll.
+
+"Why do you call him Scollops?" enquired Tot, pointing his finger at
+the boy doll.
+
+"Because his hair is all knitted in scollops, and he has scollops
+around his wrists and at the bottom of his trousers."
+
+Tot looked, and sure enough the scollops were there.
+
+"You see we always have a reason for the names we bear in this
+kingdom. It is only in the big outside world that people have names
+that mean nothing," said the Queen.
+
+"What is your name?" asked the girl.
+
+"Haven't you heard it?" enquired the Queen, with a surprised look.
+
+"No; I have only heard you called the Queen," said Dot; "but, of
+course, you must have a name of your own."
+
+"Oh, I certainly have," answered the little lady. "My name is----."
+Then she stopped suddenly and leaned over the balcony, while she held
+up one of her pink hands and whispered: "Listen!"
+
+The children now heard the sound of martial music approaching, and in
+a few minutes there marched around the corner of the palace a band of
+pewter musicians. They were dressed in brightly painted uniforms and
+marched proudly and in excellent time, while they played as loudly as
+possible upon their instruments.
+
+Following the band came a squadron of pewter soldiers on horseback,
+and the horses reared and pranced, while the officers waved their
+pewter swords above their heads in an impressive manner. Next came
+the foot soldiers, company after company, wearing red painted
+uniforms and blue painted uniforms, as well as uniforms of green and
+yellow paint.
+
+Not a man in the entire army was more than six inches high, and all
+were made of pewter--just like the boxes of soldiers you buy at the
+toy shops; but they marched like real live soldiers, and there were
+so many of them that it was actually an impressive sight.
+
+As each company passed beneath the balcony where the Queen sat, the
+men saluted her respectfully and the officers raised their hats,
+while the doll Queen bowed graciously in return.
+
+"Isn't that a fine army?" she asked, proudly.
+
+"They're rather small for soldiers," replied Dot.
+
+"I could kick 'em all over with my foot!" said Tot.
+
+"Oh, but that would be wrong," exclaimed the Queen. "Surely they
+haven't done you any harm."
+
+"No," said Tot; "but I could fight 'em all."
+
+"It's wrong to fight," remarked the Queen, reprovingly.
+
+"Then what do you have soldiers for?" questioned Dot.
+
+"Why, to march and drill and look pretty, of course," answered the
+Queen. "I thought everyone loved to see soldiers march."
+
+"I suppose they do," said the girl.
+
+"No one should wish to hurt such brightly dressed creatures,"
+continued her Majesty, "nor should a soldier wish to harm anyone
+else."
+
+"Yet the wooden Captain at the gate threatened to stick his sword
+into us," declared the child.
+
+"That's different," replied the Queen. "The wooden soldiers are
+guardians of the Valley, and it is their duty to threaten and scare
+folks. But had the Captain really hurt you with his sword, I should
+have had the quarrelsome fellow chopped into kindling wood. He's
+quite dry and would burn nicely."
+
+They sat for some time watching the pewter soldiers drill, and
+finally the entire army marched away again. When they had gone, the
+little village seemed as silent and deserted as it had been before.
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 12
+  Prince Tot and Princess Dot
+
+"Now," said the Queen, "you must come to my throne room and be
+adopted."
+
+So she led the way and they followed her to a beautiful apartment,
+large and grand, with high ceilings set with precious stones. In the
+middle of the room stood the Queen's magnificent throne.
+
+Seating herself among the cushions of the throne, her Majesty touched
+a bell which brought Scollops running in.
+
+"Send to me all the people of my household, as quickly as possible,"
+commanded the Queen of Merryland. "I am about to perform an important
+ceremony, and they must all witness my act."
+
+Scollops bowed and retired, and the Wax Doll turned to Dot and Tot
+and remarked, "I've never adopted anyone before so I don't know
+exactly the form of ceremony I ought to employ; but I shall do the
+best I can, and that ought to be satisfactory to you."
+
+"Oh, yes," said Dot. "I suppose so."
+
+"Does it hurt?" asked Tot.
+
+"Does what hurt?"
+
+"To be 'dopted."
+
+"I hope not," said the little Queen; "I shall try to be as gentle as
+possible."
+
+The members of the household now entered the room and the children
+found there were a good many of them. All were dolls of some sort;
+but Dot noticed the Queen was the only wax doll in the Valley, so far
+as she had seen. Among the household servants the cooks were black
+dolls, the chambermaids were china dolls, and the others seemed
+mostly made of wood, although there was one elderly doll that was
+clearly papier-mache. These knelt down in a circle before the Queen
+and remained in this humble position during the Ceremony of Adoption.
+
+Her Majesty began by making a speech, in which she told how the
+strangers had been carried by accident into Merryland.
+
+"It was not their fault," she said, "but when I consulted my thinking
+machine I found I must do one of two things--either turn them into
+dolls by means of my fairy wand, or else adopt them as my children.
+They seem so much bigger and prettier than dolls that I have decided
+to adopt them, so I have called all my people in to witness my act."
+
+The servants of the household loudly applauded this speech, and one
+of the chambermaids clapped her hands so earnestly that she broke off
+one of her little fingers.
+
+"Dot Freeland," now said the Queen, in a solemn voice, "kneel down
+upon my footstool."
+
+Dot was a little frightened, for never before had she heard the Queen
+speak in any voice but a laughing one; but she knelt down obediently,
+and the Queen placed upon her head a small golden crown with four
+points, each point being tipped with a flashing gem. Then the Queen
+said:
+
+  Thou art made a Princess now
+  By this crown upon thy brow;
+  All must bow to thy command,
+  Who reside in Merryland;
+  And my daughter thou shalt be,
+  Living long and happily.
+  Rise, my Princess, fair and sweet,
+  At my right hand take thy seat.
+
+Dot rose at once and sat on the Queen's right hand, while all the
+household applauded again; but this time the china chambermaids were
+more careful of their fingers. The girl longed to take off her pretty
+crown and look at it, but she felt it might not be dignified to do
+so; therefore she sat quietly, as a princess should, while Tot in
+turn knelt upon the Queen's footstool.
+
+The fairy doll placed upon Tot's head a crown almost exactly like the
+one Dot wore, saying to him in her gentle voice:
+
+  By this crown I give to thee,
+  I, the Queen, hereby decree,
+  Thou shalt be a princeling grand
+  In our happy Merryland.
+  Purest joy shall be thy lot,
+  All thy troubles be forgot;
+  Rise, Prince Tot, for thou shalt be
+  Loving son henceforth to me!
+
+Tot shoved the crown to the back of his head, where he usually wore
+his hat, and seated himself at the Queen's left hand.
+
+The assembled household now cheered loudly and long, and in the midst
+of the uproar the wooden Captain entered at the head of the pewter
+band, and the musicians blew upon their instruments so powerfully
+that the big throne room was filled with music.
+
+All this was decidedly pleasing to Princess Dot and Prince Tot, who
+felt very proud of themselves and most grateful to the generous
+Queen.
+
+Scollops and Twinkle now served lavender-colored ices to those
+present at the Ceremony of Adoption, and the pewter band finished
+playing and marched away again. Then the Queen took Dot and Tot to
+the drawing room of the palace, where the children had leisure to
+thank her and to admire their pretty crowns. The Wax Doll smiled
+sweetly upon them, and seemed quite as pleased as her adopted
+children at the success of the ceremony.
+
+Presently Dot asked, "Does no one live in those pretty houses in the
+village?"
+
+"Yes, Princess," answered her Majesty; "they are full of people."
+
+"But we have seen no one except the dolls who live in this palace,"
+remarked the child.
+
+"That is true," returned the Queen, "for I have been so busy since
+your arrival that I have not had a chance to awaken them."
+
+"Are they all asleep?" asked Tot.
+
+"Well, not exactly asleep," answered the Queen; "but they are dolls,
+like all the rest of us in this Valley, and they only move around and
+talk when I bring them to life by means of my fairy wand. At one time
+I kept them alive continually, but it was such a bother to manage
+them all that I changed my plans, and now I let them lie in their
+houses until I wish to amuse myself with their pranks. I have only to
+wave my fairy wand three times and blow my magic whistle to arouse
+the whole village to activity. But then I always have my hands full
+trying to make them behave properly."
+
+"That seems a nice way to rule," said Dot, thoughtfully. "If every
+king and queen were able to do the same thing with their people,
+there could not be so much quarreling nor so many wars."
+
+"True enough," laughed the Queen; "but real, live people would not
+like to be treated that way. Would you like to see my village wake
+up?"
+
+"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed Dot.
+
+"Then I will order our carriages so we may drive down to the
+village."
+
+The Queen called Scollops and sent him for three carriages "For," she
+said to Dot and Tot, "there is just enough room in the royal carriage
+for me, and as there are no bigger ones in the Valley, we must each
+ride in a separate carriage."
+
+It was not long before the three carriages, each drawn by horses
+standing upon wheeled platforms, and driven by rag doll coachmen
+dressed in the royal livery of pink and blue drew up before the gate
+of the palace. Dot had hard work to squeeze into the seat of her
+vehicle, and when she succeeded she had some fears that it would tip
+over, or the wheels would come off the horses. But Tot, being
+smaller, fit his carriage nicely, and being younger and a boy, he had
+no fears of any accidents.
+
+So now the drivers cracked their whips and away they rolled, the
+Queen first, Dot next and Tot last of all. When they reached the main
+street of the village, the three carriages drew up near the sidewalk,
+all in a row, and the Queen said:
+
+"Now I will awaken the people."
+
+She waved the fairy wand three times around her head and blew a
+shrill blast upon the magic whistle.
+
+Instantly a commotion arose all about them. Doors and windows began
+to open, and from the houses flocked many dolls of all sorts and
+sizes. There were china, bisque, wooden, papier-mache, rag and rubber
+dolls, with yellow hair, red and brown and white hair, and
+complexions ranging from the daintiest pink to the deepest black.
+Some were finely dressed, some well dressed and some shabbily
+dressed; but all seemed and light-hearted, and they ran about singing
+and dancing chatting to each other as happily as if they had not been
+asleep for so long a time by their Queen.
+
+"I don't understand how you can make dolls act like real people,"
+said Dot, as she watched them with wonder.
+
+"No, I suppose not," replied her Majesty. "But if you were a fairy,
+as I am, you would know all about it."
+
+The Queen now left her seat in the carriage and entered a pretty
+little cottage that stood near by. Dot followed to doorway and,
+peeping in, saw that this entire cottage was occupied by an enormous
+music box.
+
+"I'll make it play," said the Queen, "for my dolls love to dance to
+the music."
+
+Thereupon she touched a spring, and at once strains of delightful
+melody came from the big music box.
+
+Dot hastened outside again and found the street filled with dolls,
+who were dancing joyously to the bewitching music. After watching
+them for a time in silence the Queen said:
+
+"Now they have had enough fun for one day, so I will send them to
+sleep again."
+
+She waved her wand once and the music stopped playing. The dolls
+stopped dancing and began to say good-night to one another. A second
+time the Queen waved her wand above her head, and then every doll
+hurried to its own home, and the doors and windows began to close
+again. But Dot and Tot could hear the dolls laughing and talking in
+the houses until the Queen waved her wand for the third and last
+time, when silence fell on the village, and her Majesty turned to the
+children and said:
+
+"Now they are fast asleep again, and will remain so until I choose to
+awaken them."
+
+"They are lovely dolls," said Dot, sighing to think the entertainment
+was ended, "and I should love to play with them all day long."
+
+"Sometimes I have kept them awake all day myself," replied the Queen;
+"but that is when I am lonely and need amusement. No one can be dull
+while those laughing, romping, mischievous dolls are awake. But I
+must have a talk with my new Prince and Princess this evening, so I
+could devote but little time to my people, and only awakened them to
+satisfy your curiosity."
+
+"Can't I have a doll to keep?" asked Tot, as they drove back to the
+palace.
+
+"Yes, my dear Prince," answered the Queen. "I'll give you Scollops.
+You will find him very useful and a jolly playmate."
+
+Tot nodded his thanks, and soon they reached the palace and
+accompanied the Queen to her room. When all were seated the Wax Doll
+said, "Tomorrow I must leave you here alone, for I am going upon a
+journey."
+
+"Where to?" enquired Dot, greatly surprised at this announcement.
+
+"I shall go up the river to the end of Merryland, where you entered
+the First Valley. Since you have found a way to enter my kingdom from
+the big outside world, I have been greatly worried for fear others
+would also come here. To prevent this I must visit the Watch-Dog of
+Merryland, and tell him how to keep anyone from passing the archway."
+
+"Oh, the Watch-Dog cannot keep people out," said Dot. "He's too
+polite and good-natured. When we said we would not mind him he was
+sorry, but he didn't try to stop us."
+
+"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 13
+  The Revolt of the Dolls
+
+Dot and Tot awoke early, but the sun was already flooding the palace
+with its silver rays, and they made haste to dress and join the Queen
+at breakfast.
+
+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:
+
+"The Queen has no right to go away and take the key. How are we to
+amuse ourselves all day unless we can dance?"
+
+"Tot and I will play with you," answered Dot.
+
+"Very well," said a big China doll which wore a rather soiled and
+ragged dress. "What new games do you know?"
+
+Dot mentioned several; but the dolls laughed at her, crying out:
+"That's old! We're tired of that! Give us something new!"
+
+"The old games are very nice games," said the girl, "and I do not see
+why you should object to playing them."
+
+"We'll object if we want to!" declared a worn-looking kid doll, whose
+joints were so ripped that they scattered sawdust whenever it moved.
+"You're not our Queen."
+
+"But I'm your Princess," said Dot, with dignity, "and while the Queen
+is away I have the right to rule in this Valley."
+
+"So have I," said Tot.
+
+"Then rule!" shouted the saucy wooden doll. "Rule as the Queen does,
+and give us music to dance by."
+
+"Yes! yes!" they all cried. "We want to dance!" And they flung their
+arms over their heads, and leaped and pranced so energetically that
+the ground was quite strewn with sawdust that leaked out of them.
+
+Dot was much troubled at the noisy demands of the dolls. She had
+expected a quiet and happy day playing with these pretty creatures,
+and now, even in the first hour of their awakening, they were proving
+very troublesome. Tot seemed to enjoy the excitement, however, and
+stood behind Dot, with his hands in his pockets, smiling gleefully.
+
+While she was thinking what was best to be done, the rag doll
+Scollops came up to Dot and said:
+
+"Since the music box is locked up, why do you not order out the
+pewter band to play for them?"
+
+"That is a good idea," she exclaimed, her face brightening. "Go at
+once, Scollops and tell the musicians to come and play."
+
+While Scollops was on this errand the dolls became more noisy than
+ever, and one of them tried to knock Tot's crown off. But the boy
+gave the naughty doll such a strong push that he pushed over a dozen
+or more that stood behind it.
+
+"Don't hurt them, Tot," said the girl; "remember they are not strong
+and will break easily."
+
+"I'll smash 'em if they touch me!" cried the boy, indignantly; "I'm
+Prince Tot."
+
+Fortunately, the pewter band now made its appearance, and at Dot's
+command they stood in a circle at one edge of the road and began to
+play a waltz.
+
+The effect of the music upon the dolls was laughable. They
+immediately began waltzing around as merrily as could be, and paid no
+further attention to Dot and Tot. While they danced the dolls kept up
+a continual chattering and laughter, and they looked so sweet and
+happy that the children could hardly realize they had been so cross
+and unreasonable a short time before.
+
+"If they are kept busy they won't get into mischief," said Scollops,
+who had come back with the band; "but even her Majesty the Queen
+cannot manage them when they have nothing to amuse themselves with.
+I'm a doll myself and I know."
+
+"What does she do when they are naughty?" asked Dot.
+
+"She puts them to sleep," was the answer.
+
+Dot had almost regretted asking the Queen to leave the village dolls
+awake all day; but she loved to watch them dance, and they seemed
+quite contented now.
+
+"Don't they ever remain quiet, and visit with each other, and rest?"
+asked the girl.
+
+"Never," replied Scollops. "They always are unhappy unless they are
+rushing around or playing or dancing."
+
+"They wouldn't make very comfortable playmates, would they, Tot?" she
+said.
+
+"No," he answered, gravely; "don't like live dolls."
+
+But it amused them to watch the little creatures capering about, so
+the children sat down upon a door-step and enjoyed the dancing until
+Twinkle came to tell them their luncheon was ready. Then they quietly
+stole away, unnoticed by the dolls, and walked to the palace, where
+they had a delightful luncheon and were waited upon by Scollops and
+Twinkle.
+
+While they were yet at the table they suddenly heard a great noise
+and clamor at the palace gate, so they at once ran out to see what
+was the matter. Crowding before the gates was an excited throng of
+dolls, screaming and stamping and waving their hands in the air as if
+they had really become crazy.
+
+At first Dot could make nothing of their cries, for all were talking
+at the same time; but she asked Twinkle what the trouble was about
+and the maid answered, "The musicians must have stopped playing."
+
+"I wonder why they did that," said the girl.
+
+Here Scollops, who had been down to the gate and spoken to the dolls,
+came up to Dot, bringing with him the leader of the pewter band.
+
+"What caused this trouble?" she asked.
+
+"They are so unreasonable," replied the musician, in a complaining
+voice, "that no one can manage them except the Queen. We had played
+dance music for several hours and were all tired out, for our lungs
+are only pewter, and no true musician likes to play such common music
+continually. So we thought we would rest ourselves by playing
+something slow and really classical--for all classical music is slow,
+you know. But no sooner had we started the introduction than those
+soulless dolls became violent. They rushed at my poor musicians,
+threw them down, and trampled upon them! Every member of my band is
+either bent or broken. Even I have a bent back and a twisted leg, and
+my horn is badly damaged."
+
+Dot looked at him and saw that he spoke truly.
+
+"I'm very sorry," she said, nervously. "I'm sure I don't know what to
+do with them, for the Queen will not return before sundown."
+
+The dolls had remained outside the palace gates until now; but as Dot
+looked anxiously toward them, the gate flew open and one of the
+rebellious creatures ran up the path to where the children stood. She
+was dressed in a rather fussy way, and had big black eyes that stared
+straight at one. Her hair was tangled and matted, and she had lost
+one shoe and worn a great hole in her stocking, through which her
+toes peeped out.
+
+"What do you want?" asked Dot, as this doll came near.
+
+"We want our dinner, of course," answered the doll, saucily.
+
+"But I didn't know dolls could eat," said the girl.
+
+"Well we do, and now we want to be fed. Do you think it is right and
+proper to keep us awake all day and then refuse to give us any
+dinner?"
+
+"What do you eat?" enquired Dot.
+
+"What could a doll eat but sawdust? Nearly all of us have danced more
+or less sawdust out of our bodies, and now we want them filled up
+again," continued the doll.
+
+"But I have no sawdust, nor do I know where to get it," answered the
+child.
+
+"The Queen has a house full of it in the village. Give us the key and
+we will help ourselves," said the doll.
+
+"The Queen must have taken the key with her," returned Dot,
+helplessly; "I know nothing about it."
+
+"Then we shall break down the door," declared the doll, and stamping
+her feet with anger she rushed back to her companions.
+
+When they learned that the Queen had carried away the key to the
+sawdust house the dolls became much excited and ran off with loud
+shouts to tear down the door of the house.
+
+Dot was both vexed and worried, for Twinkle declared the Queen would
+be much provoked if her pretty house was battered and broken.
+
+"Let's call out the army," exclaimed Tot, suddenly.
+
+"That's a good idea, Tot," said the girl, and at once sent Scollops
+to order the pewter soldiers to march into the village and preserve
+order. But the rag boy soon returned with the news that the soldiers
+refused to obey.
+
+"They are not used to fighting," explained Scollops, "and they fear
+the dolls will treat them as they did the pewter band. Besides, they
+declare the Queen detests fighting, and would blame them for
+interfering with the people of the village."
+
+"The soldiers are toys and the people are dolls," added Twinkle; "so
+they sympathize with each other."
+
+"They didn't seem to sympathize with the band," said Dot.
+
+"No, but the band had no right to play classical music in public."
+
+"Perhaps you are right," said Dot, thoughtfully.
+
+She saw now that she must let the naughty dolls have their own way;
+but she went down the street with Tot and Scollops and watched the
+crowd break down the door of the house. They took away quantities of
+the Queen's sawdust and carried it to their homes, where they made it
+into pies and cakes and feasted merrily upon this queer food.
+
+This gave them something to do and made them happy for a while, and
+Dot was profoundly grateful for a period of rest and quiet; but she
+feared the dolls would break forth into more mischief before the day
+passed, and so it proved.
+
+For toward evening they again became restless, and as there was no
+music to be had they decided to make some of their own. So they
+gathered up a lot of tin pans for drums and pot covers for cymbals,
+and several of the dolls got combs and put paper over them. When they
+blew upon these combs and hummed a tune it sounded almost like music;
+so they formed a procession, with the doll musicians at the head of
+it, and marched all over the village, singing loudly:
+
+  Tum, tum--tum!
+  Tum, tum--tum!
+  Here comes the band with a tin-pan drum;
+  Here come the cymbals, clangety-clang!
+  Here come the combs with their twang, twang, twang!
+  Here come the marchers, happy and gay,
+  Strangers must keep out of our way!
+  Tum, tum--tum!
+  Tum, tum--tum!
+  Clatter the cymbals and bang the drum!
+
+They marched up to the palace gate and back again, and when they came
+to the house in which was the big music box, one of the cried, "Let
+us break the door down and start the music!"
+
+"Good, we will!" screamed some of the most mischievous dolls.
+
+"What do we care for the Queen?" yelled others.
+
+They made a rush for the house, and Dot, now angry and determined
+that the Queen's music box should not be spoiled, ran to the door and
+placed her back against it, while she cried out, "If any of you dare
+to come nearer I will whip you soundly!"
+
+The dolls hung back at this, but they threw a shower of tin pans and
+combs and pot covers at her, which rattled against the house, but did
+not hurt her a bit. Suddenly, amidst all this riot and turmoil, the
+girl was amazed to see every doll become silent and motionless. They
+ran in all directions to their homes, and as the street became clear
+Dot saw, standing there alone, the Queen of Merryland, who was waving
+for the third and last time the fairy wand which would put every doll
+in the village fast asleep.
+
+"Oh, your Majesty!" cried the girl, running to her, "I'm so glad
+you've come home again!"
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 14
+  The Queen's Fairy Wand
+
+"You see, Princess," said the Queen, when they were safely within the
+palace, "it is rather dangerous to leave the dolls awake while I am
+away. I feared, after I had started, you might have trouble with
+them, and so hurried back as soon as I could. Did they frighten you?"
+
+"A little," said Dot, "for they would not be quiet an instant."
+
+"No; that is the way with dolls. If one wishes to take any comfort
+with them they must be kept asleep. Then we can love them and play
+with them as much as we desire, but while they are awake they are
+sure to cause no end of trouble."
+
+"I'll keep my dolls asleep," said Tot, with decision.
+
+"Yes," agreed the girl, "they are nicer that way. But did you see the
+Watch-Dog of Merryland?" she asked the Queen.
+
+"Yes, indeed; and I told him just how to block up the archway if any
+more strangers appeared," was the answer.
+
+"Was he countin' his whiskers?" asked Tot.
+
+"Not when I arrived. I think he was playing with a piece of jelly
+cake."
+
+"Oh, yes," said the girl. "Tot gave it to him."
+
+The Queen was silent for a time, and appeared to be thinking without
+her machine, which made the girl anxious. But finally her Majesty
+said, "Now that I have looked after the safety of my first three
+Valleys, I feel I should visit the last three, for it has been years
+since I have entered them."
+
+"Can't we go with you?" asked Dot, eagerly.
+
+"I cannot answer that question now, for I have not consulted my
+thinking machine, without which I never make an important move, but I
+will let you know in the morning."
+
+Dot and Tot were all excitement after that to know what the thinking
+machine would advise, for they were curious to see the remaining
+Valleys of this wonderful country. But the Queen said no more about
+the journey that evening, and devoted herself to entertaining them in
+such a pretty and modest way that they grew to love the big Wax Doll
+very dearly.
+
+Before breakfast the next morning, however, they asked what her
+thinking machine had said, and she at once replied:
+
+"You may, if you wish, go with me to visit the other Valleys. Since
+you are my adopted children and a Prince and Princess of Merryland,
+it is right you should know all about your own country; therefore we
+will make the journey together."
+
+"That's lovely!" cried Dot, with delight. "When shall we start?"
+
+"Whenever you please," answered the Queen. "As you seem so anxious,
+we may as well start after breakfast."
+
+"Good!" exclaimed Tot, who was already busily eating; "I'm ready."
+
+So, breakfast being finished, they all walked down to the river,
+wearing their golden crowns and feeling happy at the prospect of new
+adventures.
+
+They found the boat lying beside the steps outside the wall, and the
+wooden soldiers who were on guard saluted them respectfully as they
+seated themselves and made ready to start. The Queen sat in the
+middle of the boat, with Dot at one end and Tot at the other. But now
+they were not obliged to wait for the slow current to carry them
+along.
+
+For when the pretty Queen waved her fairy wand around her golden
+head, the boat shot out from the shore and glided swiftly toward the
+rocky arch that led to the Fifth Valley of Merryland. This they
+reached in a few minutes and passed quickly through, while Dot and
+Tot looked eagerly ahead to see what the Fifth Valley was like.
+
+It seemed very quiet as it lay under the rays of the morning sun, and
+at first the children thought the Valley resembled one of the quiet
+country scenes at home. For nothing remarkable met their eyes, and
+they felt rather relieved at the contrast between this and the
+wonderful Toy Valley they had just left.
+
+Yet Dot soon decided the place was inhabited, for they came to a
+queer looking group of buildings standing near the shore. These could
+not be seen clearly at first, but the boat drew nearer every moment,
+and finally the Queen waved her fairy wand and some magic power
+carried them quickly to the shore at a spot near to the buildings.
+
+The children sprang out upon the grass, and then they could see
+better what these strange houses looked like.
+
+All the buildings were exactly alike, and stood about as high as a
+tall man. In shape they were square, with a flat roof, but around
+each roof was a stout railing. There were no windows at all, and each
+house had but one door, which was placed in the center, halfway
+between the floor and the roof. Even this was more a doorway than a
+door, being nothing but a square hole, with a broad shelf projecting
+outside and inside the bottom of the opening.
+
+The entire group of buildings was painted a pure white, but
+underneath each hole, or doorway, was a big, black number. The house
+nearest the river on the left side was number 1, and the one on the
+right side was number 47; yet the houses were not laid out into
+streets, but stood here and there upon the smooth lawn, without any
+attempt at order or regularity.
+
+"Well, how do you like this Valley?" asked the Queen, with a laugh as
+she saw Dot and Tot looking at the queer place with sober faces.
+
+"The houses seem very odd--if they are houses," replied Dot. Then she
+enquired: "Who lives in them?"
+
+"King Felis lives in number 1," said the Queen. "At least, he did
+several years ago when I last visited him. I will now call him, that
+I may introduce you to his Majesty."
+
+Thereupon she gave a shrill whistle, and a moment later a great
+Maltese pussycat sprang upon the shelf of the doorway at number 1 and
+sat there for an instant crouched, with its ears pointing into the
+air and its big yellow eyes gazing steadily at the visitors. Then the
+pussy leaped lightly to the ground, and standing upon its rear legs
+before the Queen, he bobbed his head solemnly up and down and said,
+"Welcome, Queen of Merryland, to the Valley of Pussycats!"
+
+"I thank you, King Felis," responded the Wax Doll sweetly. "But
+permit me to introduce to you my adopted children, Princess Dot and
+Prince Tot of Merryland."
+
+The big pussy looked at the children with surprise, but nodded his
+head politely.
+
+"The Prince and Princess seem like people from the big, outside
+world," he said, with a wise look; and then he turned to Dot and
+asked:
+
+"Do you pull the tails of pussycats?"
+
+"Oh, no!" exclaimed the girl, who was just then admiring the beauty
+of the cat King as well as his ability to speak.
+
+"Or pinch their ears?" he continued.
+
+"Never!" declared Dot.
+
+"I did--once," remarked Tot, composedly. "An' it yelled."
+
+The big kitty looked at the boy gravely and said:
+
+"Should you do such a thing in this Valley I would ask the Queen to
+send you away at once. It is really a wicked amusement, for it hurts
+a pussy as much as if someone should pinch your own ears."
+
+"All right," remarked Tot. "I'll be good."
+
+"You will find my adopted children both kind and gentle," said the
+Queen; "so pray do not fear them, King Felis."
+
+"Your Majesty rules all Merryland," he replied; "and your children
+shall be as welcome in our Valley as yourself. But I must call my
+people, that they may pay their respects to your Majesty."
+
+"Where are they?" asked Tot, who had been looking around and could
+see no other living thing than the big Maltese.
+
+"At this time of day they are asleep, as all good pussycats should
+be," was the King's answer. "The sun is warm and pleasant just now,
+and my people are enjoying their mid-day naps."
+
+He then lifted his voice and uttered a loud, wailing cry.
+
+Scarcely had it died away when the pussys began to appear. They
+leaped from the roofs of the houses, from the doorways, and even from
+among the shady clumps of long grass. Every house added six or seven
+to the number, and soon hundreds of pussycats were standing before
+the Queen, bowing gracefully and crying, "Welcome, your Majesty!" in
+all sorts of voices.
+
+They were plump and comfortable looking, and Dot had no idea there
+were so many kinds and colors of pussys in the world. Some had long,
+silky hair, and some short, velvety hair; some had long, bushy tails,
+some short tails and some no tails at all. They were white and black,
+blue and gray, yellow and red, speckled and tortoise-shell in color.
+Some had pretty ribbons around their necks and some of the older ones
+wore spectacles; but all were as neat as wax, and seemed well cared
+for.
+
+The big King was the largest of them all; yet there were many various
+sizes, down to the tiniest kittens with their eyes just open.
+
+When all this array of pussys had saluted the Queen they sat down
+upon the grass and began to purr, while some indulged in a yawn
+behind their paws and others commenced to wash their faces; for they
+had just been aroused from a long nap.
+
+"Your people seem happy and contented, King Felis," remarked the
+Queen, when she had looked them over carefully.
+
+"Oh, yes; they are thriving finely," replied the Maltese King. "But
+why should they not? They have no troubles nor cares, and pass their
+lives in eating and sleeping. With comfortable homes and plenty of
+food they cannot help being the happiest pussycats in the big round
+world."
+
+"I should think not, indeed," said the Queen.
+
+"But now you must permit me to offer you the hospitality of my
+house," said the King. "It is nearly dinner time, and you will wish
+to rest and eat. Our houses are not very large, so I must divide your
+party and place you in separate families. The boy will be cared for
+by my cousin Tabby, who lives at number 16. The girl I will place
+with Uncle Palladius, who lives at number 9. And your Majesty will, I
+trust, partake of the hospitality of my humble home." And he bowed
+again, very politely.
+
+"We accept your kindness with much pleasure and many thanks,"
+answered the Queen; and then she whispered to Dot and Tot not to be
+afraid, for the pussys would treat them with great courtesy.
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 15
+  The Valley of Pussycats
+
+Tot wasn't a bit frightened when a gentle looking pussy of uncertain
+age came up to him and said:
+
+"I am Cousin Tabby, and as you are to be my guest please follow me to
+number 16."
+
+The boy laughed at the idea of entering a cat's house, but he walked
+after the softly-moving pussy, who, when she reached number 16,
+sprang upon the shelf and said:
+
+"Climb in, please."
+
+This was hard work, for the shelf was nearly as high as his chin. But
+Tot had already learned to climb the trees at home, so he managed in
+some way to pull himself up, with the result that he lost his balance
+and fell head foremost inside the house.
+
+To his surprise he alighted on a soft cushion, and then he scrambled
+quickly to his feet and looked around him.
+
+The room was dimly lighted by the square doorway, but after his eyes
+got accustomed to the twilight he saw that upon the floor was a soft
+carpet, while big cushions lay around in every direction. At the side
+of the room was a long, low table, not higher than Tot's knee, and
+standing in a row upon this table were four white bowls. There was a
+cupboard in one corner, a big fireplace at the end of the room, and
+in a second corner two little gray kittens lay asleep upon a cushion.
+
+While the boy looked at these things there sprang through the doorway
+another gray kitten, older and larger than the others, and Mrs. Tabby
+said, politely:
+
+"This is my niece, Miss Flitter, who lives with me; and these two
+little ones, who were too young to go and welcome the Queen, belong
+to Mrs. Mewling. She has such a large family that I have adopted
+these children, for my house is much too large for myself and
+Flitter."
+
+"Oh," returned Tot, who was rather bewildered. Then, as Cousin Tabby
+seemed to expect some further reply, he added: "all right."
+
+"Now, if you will please make yourself comfortable," continued the
+pussy, in a soft, purring voice, "I will get our dinner ready."
+
+She took a white apron from the peg near the fireplace and tied it
+around her waist. Then she placed another bowl on the table for Tot,
+and busied herself about the work while the boy lay on the soft
+carpet and stroked the silk-like fur of the two gray kittens.
+
+While Tot was being thus entertained, Dot was led by Uncle Palladius
+to number 9, where he lived. Uncle Palladius was a great black pussy,
+and was one of those who wore spectacles, giving him a comical
+appearance.
+
+Dot had harder work than Tot to climb through the square doorway of
+the house, but she succeeded after a struggle and was pleased with
+the cozy appearance of the room.
+
+Uncle Palladius was the head of a large family, and as strangers were
+rare in their Valley they all gathered around the girl and looked at
+her curiously, while one pure white kitten came softly up and rubbed
+its back against Dot's leg. She stooped down, and picking up the
+pretty kitten snuggled it close in her arms and gently caressed it.
+Then she sat down upon a cushion, while the other kittens gathered
+around her or stretched themselves lazily upon the carpet near by.
+
+All this delighted the girl, for she was especially fond of
+pussycats, although her invalid mother did not like them and had
+always declared she "would not have a cat in the house."
+
+So the child had often longed in vain for a pet of this kind, and was
+now very happy to be able to play with so many.
+
+She leaned down and pressed her cheek against the white kitten, while
+she whispered: "You sweet little darling!"
+
+"I've got a new ribbon," said the kitten, proudly.
+
+"So I see," replied Dot, who had noticed this. Then she asked:
+
+"How old are you, dear?"
+
+"It's pink," said the white kitty.
+
+"What is pink?" enquired the child.
+
+"My ribbon."
+
+"Oh, yes. But tell me," she added "is Uncle Palladius your father, or
+your grandfather?"
+
+"It's got a bow-knot on it," purred the kitten softly, with half
+closed eyes.
+
+"What has a bow-knot on it?" asked Dot.
+
+"My ribbon."
+
+"Yes, dear; but we'll talk of something else," said the girl. "Are
+all these other kitties your sisters and brothers?"
+
+"Mamma gave it to me," sang the white kitten, contentedly.
+
+"Gave you what, dear?"
+
+"My ribbon."
+
+"Don't mind her," said another of the pussys, in a rather
+contemptuous voice; "it's her first ribbon, and she's so vain she can
+think of nothing else. Put her down and take one of us; we can talk
+to you in a sensible way."
+
+"Well, let us talk, then," said the child, but she still held the
+vain kitten cuddled in her arms--it was so soft and pretty, she
+thought. "Tell me about Uncle Palladius."
+
+"He is our grandfather," said one that had white fur with big black
+spots scattered over it, and which, moreover, presented a curious
+appearance, because one eye was surrounded by a black spot and the
+other by pure white fur.
+
+"Uncle Palladius is very old and wise, and is uncle to half the
+pussys in our Valley. Our mother, who is named Snowball, lives with
+him, as he has at present no family of his own."
+
+"Here is mother, now!" cried another kitten, and Dot looked up and
+saw a pussy entering the room that was by far the most beautiful she
+had ever seen. Snowball was large and very graceful, and her fur was
+the purest white, without a black mark anywhere. She sat down near
+Dot and asked: "Have my children been bothering you?"
+
+"Oh, no!" declared Dot; "they are the loveliest pussys in the world."
+
+Snowball smiled in a gratified way.
+
+"I think, myself," she said, "that no house has a prettier or lazier
+lot of kittens than number 9. We can outsleep any other family I know
+of, and when it comes to our midnight concerts Uncle Palladius' voice
+is so strong it can be heard above all the rest."
+
+"What are these midnight concerts like?" asked the girl.
+
+"Oh, they are wonderfully entertaining," answered Snowball, "and I
+wish you could hear one of them. Perhaps you have noticed the
+railings around the roofs of our houses. Well, in the middle of the
+night we all sit upon these railings and have a grand concert. There
+are no people to throw stones or bootjacks at us, so we enjoy
+ourselves immensely. The house that can produce the loudest chorus,
+with the most varied sound, is considered the most aristocratic in
+the Valley, and I am proud to say that Uncle Palladius and I have the
+reputation of fully holding our own."
+
+"Yes, yes!" spoke up Uncle Palladius, in a deep, bass voice; "I
+flatter myself I can be heard throughout the whole Valley."
+
+"But the kittens cannot jump to the roofs of the houses, can they?"
+asked Dot.
+
+"No, indeed," replied Snowball; "only those who are old enough and
+strong enough to jump to the roofs are considered worthy to take part
+in the concerts. But the little ones have the pleasure of lying
+inside before the fire and listening to us."
+
+"Do you have fires?" enquired the child.
+
+"Yes; we consider nothing more cozy and comfortable than lying before
+a glowing grate fire. When the evenings are chilly there is a fire in
+every house, and we pussys lie before it upon our cushions and enjoy
+its warmth. Usually we sleep all day long, and most of the night,
+except during the concert, which lasts from midnight until dawn."
+
+"You must enjoy yourselves very much," said Dot, earnestly.
+
+"Oh, we do, indeed!" replied the white pussycat; "but I see that
+dinner is now ready, so please come to the table."
+
+The girl walked toward the low table with some curiosity to know how
+these pussys ate, and what they had for food. She found a row of
+white bowls sitting upon a white cloth, and each bowl was filled with
+fresh milk. At the ends of the table were plates of light bread with
+deep brown crusts.
+
+The kittens all brought cushions to the sides of the table and sat
+upon them, their heads being then just high enough to reach the
+bowls. Dot was placed at one end of the table, with Snowball at her
+right hand, and Uncle Palladius sat at the other end.
+
+"Where do you get such nice milk?" asked the girl.
+
+"We have several springs in the Valley," answered Snowball, "where it
+bubbles up constantly."
+
+"And where do you get the bread?" Dot next enquired.
+
+"That grows upon the tall trees you see scattered about. We climb the
+bread-trees every day and gather fresh loaves."
+
+"Don't you catch mice?" asked Dot.
+
+"Mercy, no!" replied Snowball, in a horrified voice. "Do you suppose
+mice would be foolish enough to come into a Valley of Pussycats?"
+
+"No, I suppose not," replied the girl; "but I always thought pussys
+liked mice."
+
+"I have never seen the horrid animals," returned the white cat; "but
+there is a tradition in the Valley that some of our forefathers found
+mice here at one time and quickly destroyed them. They may have eaten
+them, for all I know; no one can be certain what his forefathers did.
+But none of us now living here has ever eaten anything but bread and
+milk, of that I am positive."
+
+"It's such nice bread and milk," said Dot, "that I should think you
+would prefer it to anything else."
+
+"We do, for there's nothing else to prefer," was the answer.
+
+After dinner the kittens washed their faces carefully and then all of
+them, accompanied by Dot, left the room and walked to King Felis'
+house where they found Tot and the Queen surrounded by a crowd of
+pussys.
+
+"Oh, Dot!" cried Tot, when he saw the girl. "I held the gray kittens
+after dinner, an' never dropped 'em once!"
+
+"Was he good?" Dot asked Cousin Tabby. "Yes, he behaved very nicely,"
+answered Cousin Tabby. "We must now bid our friends farewell," said
+the Queen, "for it is time to proceed upon our journey."
+
+So they returned to the boat, and all the pussys, headed by King
+Felis and Uncle Palladius, went with them and politely bade them
+good-bye.
+
+When they were floating in the river again the Queen asked Dot, "How
+did you like the pussycats?"
+
+"They're lovely!" exclaimed the girl. "I should have liked to stay
+all night with them."
+
+"Well, I wouldn't," rejoined the Queen. "The last time I passed the
+night in this Valley the pussys screamed so loudly at their midnight
+concert that the noise cracked my wax. They are much nicer to visit
+in the daytime."
+
+"Why is the King named Felis?" enquired Dot, after a moment's
+thought.
+
+"Because that is the name of his race. All our names have some
+meaning in Merryland," answered the Queen.
+
+"I suppose your own name has a meaning, if only we knew what it was,"
+said Dot, slyly.
+
+"Good gracious!" cried the Queen; "haven't I told you my name yet?"
+
+"No," said Dot.
+
+"Then I must have forgotten that you asked it. It was very stupid of
+me, and I assure you I didn't mean to be rude." Then her Majesty
+turned to Tot and asked:
+
+"How did you like the Valley of Pussys?"
+
+"Fine!" said the boy. "The kitties were soft an' fuzzy, an' the bread
+and milk was good. But the doors," he added, solemnly, "are built too
+high up to be 'zactly comf'table."
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 16
+  The Busy Mr. Split
+
+When the boat entered the Sixth Valley of Merryland our voyagers saw
+before them a forest of green trees growing close down to the river
+bank. These were so thick that they formed almost a solid wall, and
+they had passed halfway through the Valley before they came to a
+small opening, or path, running from the water's edge through the
+forest. To this spot the Queen directed the boat, and soon it
+grounded gently against a pebbly beach, and they all stepped out and
+stood upon the narrow path.
+
+"Isn't there anything but trees here?" asked Tot.
+
+"Yes, indeed, there is a very pleasant country behind the trees,"
+answered the Wax Doll. "Follow me and I will guide your steps."
+
+So they followed the Queen slowly along the shady path, while over
+their heads the branches met and sheltered them from the rays of the
+afternoon sun. This was gratefully appreciated by Dot and Tot, for
+they had left their hats in the boat and wore only their golden
+crowns.
+
+After walking a short distance the Queen stopped suddenly--so
+suddenly that Dot nearly ran against her and Tot bumped his nose upon
+Dot's shoulder. Looking ahead to see what was the matter, the
+children found lying across the path a bright green Alligator nearly
+three feet long. Its back was scaly and made in short lengths, which
+were jointed together in a peculiar way.
+
+While Dot and Tot were trying to make up their minds whether to be
+afraid or not, the Alligator turned his head toward the Queen and
+said, gently:
+
+"Step on my middle, please!"
+
+"With pleasure," returned the Queen; and she placed one of her kid
+slippers upon the middle of the Alligator's back and stepped to the
+other side of him. As she did so the pressure of her foot made a
+faint squeak, and the Alligator sighed with delight. Then he turned
+his head to Dot and repeated:
+
+"Step on my middle, please!"
+
+"Why?" asked the girl, hesitating.
+
+"So I can hear my squeak, of course," answered the Alligator. "If no
+one steps on me I might as well have no squeak at all. It is now some
+years since I have listened to the music of my squeak, but each day I
+have crawled into this path as soon as I was wound up, for I knew
+that sooner or later someone was sure to walk down the path and tread
+on me. You look heavier than the Queen, so perhaps I'll squeak
+louder."
+
+"Let Tot try it first," said Dot; "I'm afraid I'll break you."
+
+"Oh, don't worry, I've been used so little that I ought to be in good
+condition," said the Alligator. But Tot went first, and gave his foot
+a great push as he stepped on the creature's body.
+
+The squeak was so loud and shrill that the Alligator laughed from
+pure joy, and cried, "Wasn't that splendid? I believe I have the
+finest squeak in the world! The person who made me knew his business
+all right."
+
+"Who made you?" asked Dot, with quick interest.
+
+But instead of replying, the Alligator winked his left eye at her
+three times and murmured softly, "Step on my middle, please!"
+
+So Dot stepped upon his back, and being heavier than Tot, the
+Alligator squeaked louder than before.
+
+"Thank you! Thank you very much!" he called, in a happy voice. "I
+have never enjoyed myself so much since I was made."
+
+They walked on and left him smiling contentedly as he lay across the
+path, and before many minutes they reached a circular space of flat
+country where no trees grew at all, although the forest surrounded it
+on every side.
+
+Around the edge of the clearing were wooden barns and stables with
+their fronts wide open, showing stalls and mangers and stabling for
+all kinds of toy animals. One had a sign over the door reading "Fire
+Engine," and another "Police Patrol." The stables were all about as
+high as Dot's waist, and in some of them were toy animals and
+stablemen, while others were entirely empty.
+
+In the center of the space was a big merry-go-round, having
+thirty-four animals in rows upon its edge, all of which wore pretty
+saddles and bridles of bright red and blue leather. There were lions,
+elephants, tigers, deer, camels, horses, donkeys and several other
+animals, all whirling around in pairs, while a barrel-organ played
+sweet music. But no one was riding on any of the animals.
+
+Between the merry-go-round and the stables was a narrow, iron railway
+track, built in a circle, around which was rushing a big tin engine,
+drawing a gaily painted train of tin cars, filled with tin passengers
+that never moved a bit.
+
+The rest of the opening in the forest was filled with groups of
+animals of all sorts, some standing perfectly still, some walking
+stiffly about, and others pretending to eat grass, or slowly wagging
+their tails from side to side and nodding their heads up and down.
+Some were covered with real fur, while others were made of tin or
+wood and painted in natural colors.
+
+Near the spot where Dot and Tot were standing they noticed a group of
+wooden rocking horses talking with their heads together, while they
+rocked gently to and fro upon their rockers. Back of them was one
+that had broken its rocker and was lying upon its side in quite a
+helpless condition.
+
+Almost in front of their path stood a black, woolly dancing bear upon
+one of its rear legs. It remained perfectly motionless, and the Queen
+walked up to it and asked:
+
+"Where is Mr. Split?"
+
+"He is in the forest winding up the panthers and in the police patrol
+house oiling up the wagon, your Majesty," answered the dancing bear
+in a weak voice. "I've been run down now for over three hours, and
+expected at least half of Mr. Split to come long ago and start me
+going again; but he seems especially busy this morning."
+
+"Yes, there is a great deal of work for him in the Valley," said the
+Queen, thoughtfully; "there really should be four of him."
+
+"But he has only two arms when he is hooked together," returned the
+bear; "so there could not be more than two parts of Mr. Split that
+could hold a key."
+
+"That is true," said the Queen. Then she looked up and exclaimed.
+"Here comes Mr. Left Split now."
+
+Hopping toward them with wonderful speed was the queerest man the
+children had seen in all this queer kingdom. He was not, in fact, a
+complete man, but just half of a man, as if he had been cut in two
+from the middle of his head straight downward. This left him one ear,
+one eye, half of a nose and of a mouth, one arm and one leg. He was
+dressed in a bright red suit and carried in his hand a brass key.
+
+"Even--, Your Maj--," he cried out, as he drew near. "Hap--see!"
+
+He meant to say: "Good evening, your Majesty, I'm happy to see you,"
+but there being only half of him he spoke but half of each word.
+
+"Good evening, Mr. Left Split," replied the Queen. "I see you are as
+busy as ever."
+
+"Ind--am. Anim--al--get--out ord--." By this he meant to say: "Indeed
+I am. The animals are always getting out of order."
+
+"Please wind me up at once," said the dancing bear, in a complaining
+tone; "I've been run down for three hours."
+
+"Ver--sor--, but can't help," remarked Mr. Left Split, cheerfully,
+meaning that he was very sorry. He placed the key in a small hole at
+the back of the bear's neck and wound it up tightly.
+
+As soon as he withdrew the key the bear began to move its head by
+slow jerks from side to side, and to rest first upon one leg and then
+upon the other, as if it were dancing.
+
+"That's better," it said, in a more pleasant voice; "I ought to run
+now until sundown."
+
+Just then the Queen exclaimed: "Here comes Mr. Right Split," and the
+children looked up and saw the other half of the split man coming out
+of the forest a short distance away. He also had a key in his hand,
+but when he saw the Queen and her companions he came hopping toward
+them, saying in his jerky voice "--Ning,--jesty!--Come our--ley." By
+which he meant to say: "Good evening, your Majesty! Welcome to our
+Valley." But being the right half of the man he spoke on the right
+half of each word.
+
+As soon as he came up, however, there was an end of this mode of
+speech, for the right half of Mr. Split placed his flat side close to
+the left half's flat side and then with both hands he hooked the two
+halves together with little brass hooks. Then Mr. Split looked more
+like a complete man, although the left side was dressed in a bright
+red suit while the right side wore white, so it was easy to see where
+he was joined together.
+
+When he had fastened himself securely, which he did with great
+rapidity, the man spoke, saying, "Your Majesty has found us as busy
+as ever. The fact is, these animals and cars and merry-go-rounds run
+down very quickly, and they require so much attention that this is
+the first time we have been hooked together since early this morning.
+It is the same every day, but I try to do my duty, and you will find
+this Valley in good condition and everything properly cared for."
+
+"I am sure of that, Mr. Split," answered the Queen.
+
+Dot and Tot had been so astonished at all this that they had stood
+perfectly still, and noticing this Mr. Split came toward them with
+his key raised and said, briskly:
+
+"Where are your key holes my dears? You must have run down."
+
+"Oh, no!" cried Dot, shrinking back; "We're--we're alive!"
+
+"Oh, that is different," returned the man, with a laugh. "I'm glad
+you are not to be wound up, for I am so busy now that there ought to
+be three or four of me instead of two."
+
+"You're funny," remarked Tot, who had been staring at Mr. Split.
+
+"Thank you, sir," replied the man, bowing politely.
+
+"What are you made of?" asked the boy, curiously.
+
+"Wood, of course," answered the man. "Wood is the strongest and best
+material for that purpose. My feet are beech, my arms and legs are
+limbs of ash, my body is pine and my heart is oak. As for my head, it
+is mostly chestnut, although my hair is curly maple, my eyes mahogany
+and my teeth hickory."
+
+"Oh!" said Tot.
+
+"You may notice my voice is very strong," continued the man; "it is
+made of birch bark."
+
+"Oh!" said Tot.
+
+"And my hands are made of the rubber tree so I can wiggle my fingers
+easily and turn the keys to wind the machinery."
+
+"Oh!" said Tot.
+
+"If you had not told us this," remarked Dot, shyly, "we should have
+thought you were made entirely of witch hazel."
+
+The Queen laughed at this, and said: "Now, Mr. Split, if you will
+kindly gather some fruit and nuts from the forest for our supper we
+will ride on the merry-go-round until you return."
+
+The man bowed and at once ran into the forest on his errand, while
+Dot and Tot followed the Queen toward the merry-go-round.
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 17
+  The Animals That Wound Up
+
+When they came to the railway track they were careful not to get run
+into by the rushing tin train. They waited until the cars had passed
+the spot where they stood and then quickly ran across the track
+before the engine came around again.
+
+The merry-go-round was turning smoothly, and the saddled animals
+galloped along in an inviting way, while the barrel-organ played some
+very loud and frisky circus tunes.
+
+"It's almost like a side show!" cried Dot enthusiastically, as she
+seated herself upon a camel. Tot bestrode a dapple-gray horse, and
+the Queen sat upon a lion and took hold of its mane to steady
+herself.
+
+They whirled around in a very pleasant and exhilarating manner for
+some time, and Dot was laughing and enjoying herself immensely when
+she happened to notice a number of big teardrops rolling down the
+cheeks of the tiger that was galloping just in front of her.
+
+"I--I think it's--it's--real mean of you," whimpered the tiger with
+sobs in his voice, "for you to ride on that humpbacked animal all the
+time, and--and neglect a roy--royal Bengal tiger!"
+
+"Oh, I shall be glad to make a change," she cried, and leaping off
+the camel's back she sprang upon the tiger, who thereupon dried his
+tears and smiled in a most delightful manner.
+
+"We seldom have visitors in this Valley," he said, after he had wiped
+his eyes with a handkerchief that was sticking in his bridle, "so
+most of the time there is no one to ride us. I don't see the good of
+a merry-go-round if it isn't used."
+
+The Queen now noticed some of the other animals looking discontented,
+so she and Tot changed seats also, and by the time Mr. Split came to
+call them to supper they had ridden all the animals in turn, and the
+keeper noticed that his merry-go-round was bathed in one whirling
+smile of gladness and content.
+
+"It is good for my animals to have visitors," he said, happily, "it
+cheers them up."
+
+Mr. Split had spread a white cloth upon the grass close to one edge
+of the forest, and Dot and Tot and the Queen sat around this and ate
+of the delicious fruit the queer man had gathered. There were melons,
+grapes, bananas, oranges, plums, strawberries, and pears and all were
+ripe and exquisitely flavored.
+
+By the time they finished their meal it had become twilight, and the
+Queen declared it would soon be dark.
+
+"I wonder where we can sleep," said Tot. But Dot looked around and
+saw that Mr. Split was fastening three big hammocks between the trees
+at the edge of the forest. These hammocks were lined with soft,
+silken cushions and looked very pleasant and cozy to the sleepy
+children.
+
+The Queen and Dot and Tot each climbed into one of the hammocks and
+were covered over with silk-quilted comfortables, after which Mr.
+Split turned a key at the end of each hammock and set them moving
+gently to and fro like the rocking of a cradle.
+
+Before she went to sleep Dot looked over the edge of her hammock and
+saw that the merry-go-round and the tin train were now motionless,
+while all the animals seemed to have run down and were standing quite
+still waiting for morning, when Mr. Split would come and wind them up
+again.
+
+  * * *
+
+The little girl was awakened next morning by a sharp clicking sound
+near by, and opening her eyes she saw a tin monkey running up and
+down a string fastened to a branch of the tree.
+
+"Dear me!" she said, looking at him intently; "are you wound up so
+early in the morning?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," replied the monkey, still busily climbing his string;
+"Mr. Split was here some time ago. I suppose nearly everyone in the
+Valley must be going by this time."
+
+"I didn't know it was so late," said Dot, slipping from her hammock
+to the ground and feeling rather ashamed of her laziness.
+
+Tot was already up and sitting near the railway track watching the
+tin train go round. The Queen now joined Dot and they called Tot to
+breakfast, for Mr. Split had loaded the cloth with a variety of cool,
+fresh fruit and berries.
+
+"He gathered those before he unhooked himself," said the Queen, "for
+then he had two arms to carry them. But when it came to winding up
+the animals he had to separate in order that he might use each hand
+in a different place, and so get around quicker."
+
+"Mr. Split's name suits him very well," said Dot, who was enjoying
+the fruit.
+
+"Yes, it would be hard to call him anything else," replied the Queen.
+
+"I suppose your own name fits you in the same way," ventured the
+girl.
+
+"Certainly it does," answered the Queen.
+
+Dot's heart now began to beat rapidly, for she thought she would at
+last discover what the Queen's name was. Tot also looked interested,
+and forgot his slice of melon as he listened.
+
+"You haven't told us yet what it is," said the girl.
+
+The little Queen laughed merrily. "Isn't it funny," she exclaimed,
+"that I always forget to tell you? There is no reason in the world
+why you should not know my name."
+
+"Then," said Tot, sharply, "tell it!"
+
+"Well," she said, "it's--"
+
+Just then they heard a great crash, a whirling of wheels and the
+scream of a whistle. Springing to their feet they saw the tin train
+lying upside down near the track, with its wheels whirling around
+like the wind, and near by was a wooden goat and cart, completely
+wrecked and splintered into many pieces.
+
+They all ran down to the place, and the brave little Queen picked up
+the tin train and set it upon its track. It started to run again in
+its usual rushing way, but Dot noticed that the cow-catcher was badly
+bent and that some of the paint had been knocked off.
+
+"There has been a collision," said her Majesty, calmly. "I was afraid
+that goat-cart would get into trouble if it ran so near to the
+engine. But it is wrecked now, beyond repair, so there is nothing
+more to worry about."
+
+As she spoke the Police Patrol and the Fire Engine both dashed up to
+the spot, and one of the officers asked: "What's the trouble?"
+
+"You are too late," said the Queen; "the trouble is all over."
+
+"Then we may as well go back," said the officer, grumpily. "The
+trouble usually is over when we get anywhere; that's why we take our
+time about coming."
+
+"Well," said the Queen, when the Patrol and the Fire Engine had gone
+back to their stables, "it is time for us to go."
+
+They looked around for Mr. Split, but not seeing him they walked
+across the opening to the path that led through the forest to the
+river. They each squeaked the Alligator when they came to him, and
+left him feeling joyful and contented.
+
+The boat was lying where they had left it, and they at once stepped
+in and seated themselves.
+
+"I'm sorry not to say good-bye to Mr. Split," said Dot, as the boat
+glided out into the river.
+
+"He is so busy he won't mind it," answered the Queen. "I suppose he
+was in the forest winding up the animals there when we came away. I
+do not think there is another man in the whole world that does so
+much work as Mr. Split, and he seems to enjoy it, too."
+
+The boat was rushing swiftly through the water, now, and soon the
+forest of trees was passed and our voyagers entered a deep archway
+that led to the Seventh and last Valley of Merryland.
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 18
+  The Valley of Lost Things
+
+It was morning, and the sun shone as brightly as it had every day
+since they came to Merryland; yet the stillness of the Seventh Valley
+was so intense that the children became sober the moment they entered
+it, and even the smile upon the little Queen's wax face looked
+strained and out of place.
+
+"The people here are either asleep, like the dolls, or run down, like
+the animals," said Dot, sinking her voice to a whisper.
+
+"There are no people," replied the Queen.
+
+"Then what is the Valley for?" asked the girl.
+
+"Wait a moment and you will see," was the answer.
+
+The boat now drew near the shore, but the banks of the river were so
+high and steep that they could see nothing above them, and Dot
+thought at first they would be unable to land.
+
+Presently, however, they reached a small place where the bank sloped
+gently down to the water, and here the Queen stopped the boat and
+asked the children to step out.
+
+"Now follow me," said Her Majesty, when they had all landed. So they
+walked up the sloping bank and found themselves upon a big, circular
+plain as flat as a platter, which was thickly covered with thousands
+and thousands of pins. There were no trees at all, but lying
+scattered upon the ground were heaps and stacks of the most curious
+things.
+
+Nearest to Dot was a great pyramid of thimbles, of all sizes and made
+of many different materials. Further on were piles of buttons, of all
+shapes and colors imaginable, and there were also vast collections of
+hairpins, rings, and many sorts of jewelry.
+
+Tot noticed at his side a mammoth heap of lead pencils, some short
+and stubby and worn, and others long and almost new.
+
+"What does it all mean?" asked Dot, wonderingly, after she had gazed
+about her.
+
+"It is the Valley of Lost Things," answered the Queen.
+
+"Oh!" said Dot.
+
+"Oh!" echoed Tot.
+
+And again they began looking with wide-open eyes.
+
+"It is rather dangerous to walk on the pins," said the Queen; "so we
+must choose some overshoes from this pile and put them on our feet.
+There are so many pins lost that they cover the entire Valley, and
+sometimes the points turn up and are liable to stick into your feet."
+
+The pile of overshoes was quite near them, so they hunted through it
+until they found the right sizes. Of course they could not get mates,
+but that did not matter so much, if the soles were but thick enough
+to keep the pins from sticking through.
+
+When at last their feet were clad in lost overshoes they started to
+walk through the Valley, and Tot was surprised to see so many heaps
+of caps and coats that had been worn by boys.
+
+"Where do they all come from?" he asked.
+
+"Well," replied the Queen, "it seems boys in the big outside world
+seldom hang up their caps and coats; so they are easily lost. Perhaps
+if they knew they would get to this Valley, and could never be found
+again, boys would be more careful."
+
+"Would they?" asked Tot.
+
+"I suppose so. Here is a big pile of pennies. I expect most of those
+were lost by children, too."
+
+"Let's take some!" cried Tot.
+
+"No, indeed," said Dot, "if we took them they wouldn't be lost any
+more."
+
+"Won't they ever be found?" asked the boy.
+
+"I think not," replied the Queen. "No one has ever been here but you,
+and probably no stranger will ever come to this Valley again."
+
+"It's all right for us to come," declared Tot.
+
+"Why?" enquired the girl.
+
+'"Cause we're lost, too!"
+
+"So we are, Tot," said Dot, rather sadly; "but lost people are
+usually found again, for I don't see any others here."
+
+They walked a little farther on and saw a mass of broken toys lying
+scattered about. There were dollies, too, for suddenly Tot made a
+pounce and grabbed up a sorry looking doll with one arm broken, one
+eye out and a scratched and battered face.
+
+"I've found her!" he cried, joyfully; "I've found Jane! An' I'm going
+to keep her, too."
+
+"Is it really your doll?" asked the Queen, with some curiosity.
+
+"Course it is," replied Tot; "I lost her."
+
+"Then I do not see why you should not keep her with you; for, being
+found, she doesn't belong here any more."
+
+"Course not," said the boy, hugging the broken doll in his arms.
+
+"There are a good many gloves and handkerchiefs lost," remarked Dot,
+looking at the heaps lying around.
+
+"Yes," replied the Queen; "and over at the further side of the Valley
+are many piles of pocket-books, each pile as big as a haystack.
+People are so careless with pocketbooks."
+
+"Have they money in them?" asked the girl.
+
+"Some have a great deal of money inside them, and some only a few
+pennies. Others are stuffed with cards and samples and papers," said
+the Queen. "I would take you to look at them, but we should have to
+climb over a hill of lost needles, and I fear our overshoes would not
+protect us from their sharp points."
+
+"It's always hard to get at money," said Tot, with a sigh.
+
+Among other things lying near her Dot now noticed a hurdy-gurdy, such
+as she had seen musicians carrying around the streets. There was no
+monkey with it, and it looked quite old and battered.
+
+"I wonder how long it has been here, she remarked, thoughtfully.
+
+"Play it, and see," suggested the Queen.
+
+So Dot set the hurdy-gurdy up straight and turned the crank, when it
+began playing in a jerky and wheezy manner a tune called "Silver
+Threads Among the Gold."
+
+"My! But that's an old tune," said Dot.
+
+"It's rather pretty," declared the Queen, who had never heard the air
+before. "Play another."
+
+This time the tune was "Little Annie Rooney," and then followed
+"Captain Jinks" and "Two Little Girls in Blue."
+
+"I guess this hurdy-gurdy was lost before I was born," sighed Dot.
+"It's certainly very old."
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 19
+  The Lost Crowns
+
+"Well, shall we return to the boat?" asked the Queen, when they had
+looked at the lost things a while longer.
+
+"Yes," they answered willingly, for the Valley was a rather sad
+sight.
+
+So they walked back to the bank, where they took off their overshoes
+and threw them upon the pile. Then they went down the sloping bank to
+the river and sat down upon the sand to rest.
+
+"I'm hungry," said Tot.
+
+"I forgot to bring anything to eat," answered the Queen. "But that
+will not matter. Fetch me your basket from the boat."
+
+Dot brought it to the little lady, who simply waved her fairy wand
+over it and said:
+
+"Now we shall have a good dinner."
+
+The girl removed the cover and found that the big basket was filled
+to the brim with dainties of all kinds.
+
+"That's nice," said Tot. "Were all those things in the end of your
+stick?"
+
+"No one has ever yet discovered," answered the Queen, "how fairies
+are able to do such wonderful things. In fact, fairies could not
+explain them clearly if they wished to. So it is best not to ask
+questions, but to eat freely of these good things and be thankful my
+magic wand was able to fill the basket."
+
+"All right," said Tot.
+
+Although they enjoyed their dinner, the little party seemed to be
+unusually silent and thoughtful, and finally Dot asked:
+
+"What shall we do next? We have seen all of the Seven Valleys now."
+
+"When we have finished our dinner we will return to my palace in the
+Fourth Valley," replied the Queen, gaily.
+
+A long pause followed this remark, and it was broken by Tot saying in
+a loud and decided voice:
+
+"I want to go home!"
+
+The Queen looked up quickly, with an anxious expression upon her
+face, and asked, "Do you really?"
+
+"Yes. I want to see my mamma!" declared the boy.
+
+"And leave this beautiful country, where you are a Prince?"
+
+"Yes," said Tot decidedly.
+
+"You surprise me, indeed," said the Queen, "and I am rather
+disappointed that you are not content to remain in my kingdom." Then
+she turned to Dot, and enquired: "Do you also wish to return to your
+home?"
+
+"Well," replied the girl, "I love these beautiful Valleys dearly, and
+never expect to be as happy again as I have been here. But if Tot
+goes home of course I must go with him, for his mother left him in my
+care, you know."
+
+"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 passed 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 shore.
+
+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!"
+
+Dot and Tot both turned around to look, but they were too late. A
+low, gloomy archway was just before them, and as the boat glided into
+it, the jagged rocks of the roof caught the children and threw them
+flat upon the bottom of the boat.
+
+In falling, both the pretty gold crowns were knocked from their heads
+and fell splashing into the dark waters of the river, where they were
+lost forever.
+
+Dot and Tot lay quite still for a time, while the light in the tunnel
+turned to twilight, and the twilight turned to utter darkness.
+
+Suddenly they heard a great crash, with the sound of falling rocks
+and the splashing of water. The boat rocked with a little shiver, but
+neither of the children spoke, for they knew the Queen had kept her
+promise and closed up the archway behind them.
+
+Finally Tot whispered, "I've got her yet."
+
+"Who?" asked Dot.
+
+"Jane."
+
+The girl did not reply. She was rubbing her head where the roof had
+struck it and thinking earnestly of the wonderful country she had
+just left. Tot might, in time, forget his visit to Merryland, but Dot
+never would.
+
+"It's goin' to be as long as the first tun'l, Dot," said the boy; and
+then he curled himself up and fell asleep, while the boat glided
+swiftly through the dark tunnel, and no sound broke the stillness
+save the soft rippling of the unseen waters.
+
+
+
+  CHAPTER 20
+  The Voyage Ends
+
+Suddenly Dot, who had also fallen asleep, awoke with a start.
+
+The sun was just sinking in the west, and the boat had left the
+tunnel while they slept and was slowly floating down the middle of a
+big river.
+
+The girl at once awakened Tot and they looked carefully along both
+sides of the river to see if they could find the place where they had
+come out of the tunnel. But nothing could be seen except a line of
+low trees growing close down to the water.
+
+"It doesn't make any difference, anyway," said the girl; "for the
+Queen has closed up the end of the tunnel."
+
+"Where are we?" asked Tot.
+
+"I don't exactly know. But this looks very much like the river that
+flows past Roselawn."
+
+"Yes!" cried the boy, nodding his head, "I 'member those trees."
+
+"Then," rejoined Dot, slowly, "I think I know how it happened. The
+Valleys of Merryland are not in a straight line, but lie in the form
+of a half circle; so in passing through them we have come upon the
+same river again, only higher up the stream. We'll soon be opposite
+Roselawn, Tot."
+
+The boy was staring at the bank and did not answer at once. But as
+the boat swept around a bend in the river he cried:
+
+"Look!" and pointed with his finger to the shore.
+
+Before them were the green banks of Roselawn, and someone had already
+seen the children, for a boat pushed out from the shore and came
+rapidly toward them.
+
+A few minutes afterward Dot was closely clasped in her father's arms,
+while Tot was rapturously kissing the bearded face of Thompson the
+gardener.
+
+"How do you happen to be at Roselawn, Papa?" Dot asked.
+
+"Miss Bombien telegraphed me you were lost, so I came by the first
+train and have been searching everywhere for you. Thompson and I had
+both nearly despaired, for we feared our little ones had been
+drowned."
+
+"Oh, no," said Dot, "we've only been on a trip to Merryland. But I'll
+tell you the whole story when we get home."
+
+Mr. Freeland noticed his daughter's round, plump cheeks, slightly
+sunburned, but with a fresh, rosy tint showing through the skin, and
+saw how her eyes sparkled and danced with health. Very gratefully he
+pressed her again to his heart and whispered:
+
+"Wherever you may have been, my darling, the change has restored your
+health, and that repays me for all my anxiety."
+
+  * * *
+
+As they walked up the white-graveled paths of Roselawn, Dot skipped
+happily along by her father's side, while Tot held fast to the
+gardener's big finger with one hand and carried Jane in the other.
+
+Soon they came to the place where the path branched off to the gap in
+the hedge beyond which Tot lived, and he called out, "Good-bye, Dot."
+
+"Good-bye," answered the girl; "I'll see you tomorrow."
+
+But before she had gone far Tot came running up, calling for her to
+stop.
+
+"Oh, Dot!" he said, "I know what the Queen's name is!"
+
+"Do you?" she asked eagerly. "Tell me, quick!"
+
+"Why it's Dolly, of course," said Tot.
+
+"Of course!" answered Dot, with a smile. "Funny we never thought of
+that, isn't it?"
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Dot and Tot of Merryland, by L. Frank Baum
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOT AND TOT OF MERRYLAND ***
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
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author	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-14 20:09:14 -0700
committer	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-14 20:09:14 -0700
commit	23f61929f1c4e80b47973ab08a1a982a9ea9e46b (patch)
tree	115ee4dfbd7f21de1bd8e49e69913ff62ee55c1a