Page:St. Nicholas (serial) (IA stnicholasserial321dodg).pdf/299



when the new king had entered the palace with his sister, the chief counselor stood upon a golden balcony with the great book in his hand, and read aloud, to all the people who were gathered below, the law in regard to choosing a new king, and the severe penalty in case any refused to obey his slightest wish. And the people were glad enough to have a change of rulers, and pleased that so young a king had been given them. So they accepted both the law and the new king cheerfully, and soon dispersed to their homes to talk over the wonderful events of the day.

Bud and Meg were ushered into beautifully furnished rooms on the second floor of the palace, and old Jikki, finding that he had a new master to serve, flew about in his usual nervous manner, and brought the children the most delicious breakfast they had ever eaten in their lives.

Bud had been so surprised at his reception at the gate and the sudden change in his condition that as yet he had not been able to collect his thoughts. His principal idea was that he was in a dream, and he kept waiting until he should wake up. But the breakfast was very real and entirely satisfying, and he began to wonder if he could he dreaming, after all.

The old servant, when he carried away the dishes, bowed low to Bud and said; “Beg pardon, your Majesty! But the lord high counselor desires to know the king’s will.”

Bud stared at him a moment thoughtfully.

“Tell him I want to be left alone to talk with my sister Fluff,” he replied.

Jikki again bowed low and withdrew, closing the door behind him, and then the children looked at each other solemnly, until Meg burst into a merry laugh.

“Oh, Bud!” she cried, “think of it! I ’m the royal Princess Fluff, and you ’re the King of all Noland! Is n’t it funny!” And then she danced about the room in great delight.

Bud answered her seriously.

“What does it all mean, Fluff?” he said. “We ’re only poor children, you know; so I can’t really be a king, And I would n’t be surprised if Aunt Rivette came in any minute and boxed my ears.”

“Nonsense!” laughed Margaret. “Didn’t you hear what that fat, periwigged man said about the law? The old king is dead, and some one else had to be king, you know; and the forty-seventh person who entered the east gate was you, Bud, and so by law you are the king of all this great country. Don’t you see?”

Bud shook his head and looked at his sister. Rh