"Can I be Queen?" demanded Hester, a little mollified; "can I, really?"
"Why, yes, if the boys agree. They have as much say as I do."
"They don't either! You have all the say! You always do! Now, promise you'll make the boys let me be Queen, or,—or I won't play!"
Hester ended her threat rather lamely, as she couldn't think of any dire punishment which she felt sure she could carry out.
"I promise," said Marjorie, who really felt it was just that Hester should be Queen for a time.
"All right, then," and Hester's stormy face cleared a little. "See that you keep your promise."
"I always keep my promises," said Marjorie, with dignity; "and I'll tell you what I think of you, Hester Corey! I think you ought to be Queen,—it isn't fair for me to be it all the time. But I think you might have asked me in a nicer way, and not call names, and smash things all about! There, that's what I think!" and Marjorie glared at her in righteous indignation.
"Maybe I ought," said Hester, suddenly becoming humble, as is the way of hot-tempered people after gaining their point. "I've got an awful temper, Marjorie, but I can't help it!"
"You can help it, Hester; you don't try."
"Oh, it's all very well for you to talk! You never have anything to bother you! Nothing goes wrong, and everybody spoils you! Why should you have a bad temper?"