"Most unlucky," remarked the Admiral. "How did it get here?"
"Floated ashore yesterday," replied the carpenter.
"You see," continued the King, "it is against the law here for anyone to look blue—and what we are going to do with this log of Blue Gum I can't think."
"Couldn't you make a policeman?" suggested Frances.
"Grand idea!" cried the King, clapping his hands. "Just the thing! Thank you ever so much. We'll have a blue policeman to chase away the 'blues', just as we have a Court Crier to do the crying. What a happy thought! Then, if anyone does forget to be cheerful and polite it shall be the policeman's duty to catch him and paint him blue, of course."
"He won't have much to do at that rate," remarked the Admiral, "for nobody has ever been painted blue yet. You'll have to give him something else to do to fill up his time, or he'll be coming down with the 'blues' himself."
"You might give him a butterfly net," suggested Margaret, "and set him to chasing blue-bottles for practice."
"That's a good idea, too," responded the King. "So that's what we'll do. Make a policeman, Carpenter, and, if you can, make one that will keep awake. Do you think that's possible?"
"Oh, yes," replied the carpenter. "I can fix him. I'll give him a hollow tooth, so that he can't breathe through his mouth without getting the toothache, and I'll make his skin so tight that he won't be able to shut his eyes without opening his mouth. See?"
"Very good idea," said the King. "So, pitch in, Carpenter, and get him done as soon as you can. Hark! There's that bell again! Come on! Run! Or they'll find us yet."