"Don't hurt them, Tot," said the girl; "remember they are not strong and will break easily."
"I'll smash 'em if they touch me!" cried the boy, indignantly; "I'm Prince Tot."
Fortunately, the pewter band now made its appearance, and at Dot's command they stood in a circle at one edge of the road and began to play a waltz.
The effect of the music upon the dolls was laughable. They immediately began waltzing around as merrily as could be, and paid no further attention to Dot and Tot. While they danced the dolls kept up a continual chattering and laughter, and they looked so sweet and happy that the children could hardly realize they had been so cross and unreasonable a short time before.
"If they are kept busy they won't get into mischief," said Scollops, who had come back with the band; "but even her Majesty the Queen cannot manage them when they have nothing to amuse themselves with. I'm a doll myself and I know."
"What does she do when they are naughty?" asked Dot.
"She puts them to sleep," was the answer.
Dot had almost regretted asking the Queen to leave the village dolls awake all day; but she loved to watch them dance, and they seemed quite contented now.
"Don't they ever remain quiet, and visit with each other, and rest?" asked the girl.
"Never," replied Scollops. "They always are unhappy unless they are rushing around or playing or dancing."