Dot hesitated to reply, for she felt the rebuke this question implied.
"We couldn't help coming," she explained, at last; "the boat brought us."
"Well, since you are here," said the soldier, "you must obey the laws of this country and the Queen who rules it."
"That's rubbish!" cried Dot, now thoroughly provoked. "You can't obey the orders of your Queen yourself."
"Why not?" inquired the soldier, in surprise.
"You were ordered to shoot, were you not?"
"Certainly."
"Well, you can't shoot, for your gun is made of wood. So you cannot obey orders."
"But if you had not come here," protested the soldier, "I should have had no occasion to shoot. So it is all your fault."
"Perhaps so," replied Dot; "but I mean to open the gate in spite of your orders."