“The billygoat is the very best guard we could
have, for ever’body’s ‘fraid o’
him,” remarked Cap’n Bill as he put the
key of the room in his pocket. “So now,
Queen Trot, what’s next on the program?”
“Next,” said Trot, “we’re
goin’ to hunt for that umbrel, Cap’n.
I don’t mean to stay in this dismal Blue Country
long, even if I am the Queen. Let’s find
the umbrel and go home as soon as we can.”
“That suits me,” the sailor joyfully exclaimed,
and then the two began a careful search through the
palace. They went into every room and looked
behind the furniture and underneath the beds and in
every crack and corner, but no place could they spy
the Magic Umbrella. Cap’n Bill even ventured
to enter the rooms of the Six Snubnosed Princesses,
who were by this time so thoroughly alarmed that they
had become meek and mild as could be. But the
umbrella wasn’t there, either.
Finally, they returned to the great throne room of
the palace, where they seated themselves on the throne
and tried to think what could possibly have become
of the precious umbrella. While they were sitting
and talking together, the Captain of the Guards entered
and bowed respectfully. “Beg pardon, your
Small-Sized Majesty,” said he to Trot, “but
it is my duty to report that the Pinkies are preparing
to attack the City.”
“Oh! I’d forgotten the Pinkies!”
exclaimed the girl. “Tell me, Captain,
have you such a thing as a Brass Band in this City?”
“We have two fine bands, but they are not brass,”
replied the Captain. “Their instruments
are made of blue metal.”
“Well, order ’em out,” commanded
Trot. “And say, get all the soldiers together
and tell all the people there’s going to be a
high time in the Blue City tonight. We’ll
have music and dancing and eating and—”
“An’ neckties to drink, Trot. Don’t
forget the royal neckties,” urged Cap’n
Bill.
“We’ll have all the fun there is going,”
continued the girl, “for we are to entertain
the Army of the Pinkies.”
“The Pinkies!” exclaimed the Captain of
the Guards. “Why, they’re our enemies,
your Short Highness.”
“Not any more,” replied Trot. “I’m
Queen of the Pinkies, an’ I’m also Queen
of the Blues, so I won’t have my people quarreling.
Tell the Blue people we are to throw open the gates
and welcome the Pinkies to the City, where everybody
will join in a grand celebration. And jus’
as soon as you’ve spread the news an’ got
the bands tuned up and the soldiers ready to march,
you let us know, and we’ll head the procession.”
“Your Microscopic Majesty shall be obeyed,”
said the Captain, and went away to carry out these
commands.
