"May I ask a favor?" said Dot, timidly.
"Certainly, Princess; ask whatever you will," returned the Queen, as she threw a scarlet cloak over her shoulders and prepared to start.
"I would like you to waken the dolls of the village before you go, so that Tot and I may play with them," said the girl.
The Queen reflected a moment before she replied, "The dolls are often mischievous when they have a whole day to themselves, and you might find them troublesome. However, as you will be sure to enjoy their merry pranks, I'll do as you wish, and leave you the dolls for playmates."
"Oh, thank you ever so much!" cried Dot, gratefully.
The Queen now called the carriages and they all rolled down to the main street of the village. Here her Majesty waved the magic wand three times, and the dolls immediately awoke and began such a chattering and such romping play that the Queen herself became bewildered and ordered the coachman to hasten to the river bank.
Dot and Tot went with her to see her start upon her journey, and when they had passed out of the big gate, which the wooden soldiers opened for them with respectful salutes, the Queen said:
"I am going to borrow your boat, for it will be the easiest way for me to reach the Valley of the Watch-Dog."
"But you can never row it up stream," said Dot; "and there is but one oar."
