"Was he good?" Dot asked Cousin Tabby. "Yes, he behaved very nicely," answered Cousin Tabby. "We must now bid our friends farewell," said the Queen, "for it is time to proceed upon our journey."
So they returned to the boat, and all the pussys, headed by King Felis and Uncle Palladius, went with them and politely bade them good-bye.
When they were floating in the river again the Queen asked Dot, "How did you like the pussycats?"
"They're lovely!" exclaimed the girl. "I should have liked to stay all night with them."
"Well, I wouldn't," rejoined the Queen. "The last time I passed the night in this Valley the pussys screamed so loudly at their midnight concert that the noise cracked my wax. They are much nicer to visit in the daytime."
"Why is the King named Felis?" enquired Dot, after a moment's thought.
"Because that is the name of his race. All our names have some meaning in Merryland," answered the Queen.
"I suppose your own name has a meaning, if only we knew what it was," said Dot, slyly.
"Good gracious!" cried the Queen; "haven't I told you my name yet?"