"I do, too! A Queen has all the say,—about everything! And I say there sha'n't be any more people in this club, and so there sha'n't!"
Hester stamped her foot and shook her fist and wagged her head in the angriest possible way, and if the others hadn't been so exasperated by her ill-temper they must have laughed at the funny picture she made. Her new crown was tumbled sideways, her hair ribbons had come off, and her face, flushed red and angry, was further disfigured by a disagreeable scowl.
And just at this moment Ruth arrived. She came in, smiling, neatly dressed in a clean print frock, and broad straw hat with a wreath of flowers round it.
"Hello, Marjorie," she said, a little shyly, for she didn't know the Craig boys, and she couldn't help seeing that Hester was in a fit of temper.
"Hello, Ruth," said Marjorie, running to her, and taking her by the hand. "Come on in; this is Sand Court. These are the Craig boys,—Tom, Dick, and Harry. And this is our Queen,—but I think you know Hester Corey."
"Yes," began Ruth, but Hester cried out: "I don't want her to know me! She sha'n't join our club, I say!"
Ruth looked bewildered at first, and then her sweet little face wrinkled up, and the tears came into her big blue eyes.
"Don't cry, Ruth," said Midget, putting her arm round her; "Hester is sort of mad this morning, but I guess she'll get over it. Don't mind her."
"I won't get over it," screamed Hester. "I'm not going to have Ruth Rowland in this club!"
"For goodness gracious sakes, children, what is the matter?"