“Leave it to me, Madam,” he assured, “and I shall pick you up in no time!”
“Not Johnnie, doctor?” the Queen murmured with a grimace. For a glass of Johnnie Walker at bed-time was the great doctor’s favourite receipt.
“No; something a little stronger, I think.”
“We need expert attention, too,” the King intervened.
“You certainly are somewhat pale, sir.”
“Whenever I go out,” the King complained, “I get an impression of raised hats.”
It was seldom King William of Pisuerga spoke in the singular tense, and Doctor Babcock looked perturbed.
“Raised hats, sir?” he murmured in impressive tones.
“Nude heads, doctor.”
The Queen commenced to fidget. She disliked that the King should appear more interesting than herself.