“Well,” said Harry, “we mustn’t be too hard. Since I have been king I can see how easy it is to be tyrannical.
“Now bring Smithkin here. Smithkin, I forgive you. You were faithful to your former master, be just as faithful to your new king. But you must begin over again as a common soldier, so that by obedience you may learn better how to command.
“As for you fifty soldiers who led us hither, each one of you is hereby appointed an officer over fifty men.
“The elves who have been in the mines are to take the positions they had before they were banished.
“Have you all those orders written down in the records?” he demanded of the Grand Recorder.
“I have, Your Majesty,” was the reply.
“Kitey,” continued Harry, “I appoint you Grand Royal Prime Minister. Get up, Wamby, and give him that seat at my right.”
Wamby complied, but his face wore a disappointed and grieved look, as if he thought it hardly fair for Harry to pass by him and give to Kitey the place of honor.
“Now,” said Harry, “I am going to abdicate, and you must elect a new king.”
So saying, he attempted to rise, but found himself unable to do so. The throne was made for a Pin Elf, not for a good-sized boy, and it was so small that Harry had become wedged fast. The elves perceived at once what the trouble was, and forgetting all fear and decorum, laughed and danced about with glee, shouting, “You’ve got to stay on the throne! You can’t get away! You’ll have to be our king always!”