This made Peggy see how trustworthy dolls really were. If they are ever naughty, it is only because their mistresses like to make them pretend to be, just for fun. And they are never really naughty, and soon get over whatever little trouble there may be with them, and are good and obedient again. Peggy wondered now whether all this might not be owing to the wise and temperate rule of Queen Rosebud. Perhaps if Selim were to go on ruling it might all be altered, and dolls might become as bad as some human beings.
“I am sure when the people know you are alive,” she said, “they will very soon take you back to your palace. And they will be most awfully glad to have you reigning over them again.”
“Well, you must tell them,” said the Queen. “I can wait here a little longer in patience, now that I know things are to be put right. And I am very pleased to see you here, my dear; but I wish you had come at a happier time.”
Peggy had never before conversed with a Queen, or indeed with any royal person, though she had once seen her own King and Queen driving through London; but she knew somehow that she was being dismissed from the presence. She kissed the Doll-Queen’s hand, which she had read somewhere was the proper way to behave, and went out of the room, leaving Queen Rosebud sitting by the window.
As she went down the five hundred steps, she thought it was rather extraordinary that the Queen had not said anything about the way in which she was to be rescued. She had seemed to take it for granted that when her people knew what had happened, everything would come right for her. She could leave the details to them.
This seemed to Peggy rather royal, too, and also that she had not grumbled at all about her imprisonment. Though she was only a doll, Peggy had gained a great respect for Queen Rosebud.
XI
THE RELEASE OF PEGGY AND WOODEN
Peggy went down to the kitchen. She had time as she went down the five hundred stairs, to make up her mind as to whether she should tell Mr. and Mrs. Emma that the Wax lady on the top floor was the Queen. She decided not to do so just yet, but to wait a little longer and see what happened. They might be very indignant at hearing what Selim and Rose had done, but on the other hand they might be frightened that they would be punished for having let Peggy see such an important prisoner; and in that case they would probably not let her see her again. And Peggy wanted to see Queen Rosebud again.
When Peggy went into the kitchen Mrs. Emma said, “You have been a long time away, but I know it takes a long time to go up and down those stairs. How did you find the lady? I hope she liked the tea I sent her. I gave her some bread and honey instead of bread and butter.”