"A little," said Dot, "for they would not be quiet an instant."
"No; that is the way with dolls. If one wishes to take any comfort with them they must be kept asleep. Then we can love them and play with them as much as we desire, but while they are awake they are sure to cause no end of trouble."
"I'll keep my dolls asleep," said Tot, with decision.
"Yes," agreed the girl, "they are nicer that way. But did you see the Watch-Dog of Merryland?" she asked the Queen.
"Yes, indeed; and I told him just how to block up the archway if any more strangers appeared," was the answer.
"Was he countin' his whiskers?" asked Tot.
"Not when I arrived. I think he was playing with a piece of jelly cake."
"Oh, yes," said the girl. "Tot gave it to him."
The Queen was silent for a time, and appeared to be thinking without her machine, which made the girl anxious. But finally her Majesty said, "Now that I have looked after the safety of my first three Valleys, I feel I should visit the last three, for it has been years since I have entered them."
"Can't we go with you?" asked Dot, eagerly.