“Did his Majesty say it was raining?” asked the secretary.
“No, no,” said the Lord Chancellor testily. “The King said he was reigning—with a ‘g.’ Keep your ears open, please. Well, that’s all in order, then. Now what about the imprisonment of all wax dolls, your Majesty? Let’s have that explained, please.”
The King frowned again. “Have I got to explain everything I do, when I’m already King?” he asked.
“Yes, please, your Majesty,” said the Lord Chancellor firmly.
“Well, then,” said the King, “I was given reason to believe that there would be a revolution among the Waxes, when it was known that a wooden King was to succeed a wax Queen, and I took steps to prevent it, that’s all.”
“Who gave your Majesty reason to believe such a thing?” asked the Lord Chancellor. “I am China myself, but I have always lived on good terms with Waxes and Woodens alike—Compositions and Rags, too, for the matter of that—and I believe I may say the same of most of the inhabitants of this happy country. I see no reason to believe that there would have been a revolution of any sort, when it was given out that Queen Rosebud had nominated you as her successor.”
“Did you say that she abominated her professor?” asked the secretary. “You talk so very fast.”
The King broke in before the Lord Chancellor could reply. “Are you giving me a lecture?” he asked angrily.
“Yes,” said the Lord Chancellor. “Will your Majesty kindly answer my question?”