After the King and Queen had changed their dusty, travel stained clothes for the pretty robes that had been prepared for them, the Lords and Ladies, led by their Majesties, entered the Royal Dining Room, where were a number of little tables laden with all manner of good things. Here the decorations were even more beautiful than in any other room of the Castle, and when the company were seated in the quaint chairs at the tables and partaking of the fine banquet that was served for them, one and all felt that in no way could they have been blessed with a more gracious Queen, or a more perfect hostess.
The first course, as it always should be, was ice cream, served in many fanciful shapes and of the most delicious flavors. With the ice cream there was served cake—light, feathery and perfectly cooked; with just the right amount of egg, not a bit too much sugar, and flavored to the point of nicety.
There were many kinds of cake served, so that everybody might have the special kind which was best liked. After the cake course, there were cream puffs, luscious eclairs, thin, delicate sugar wafers, candies, fruits, nuts and every dainty confection which could be imagined.
The Queen, remembering what she had been told about the candy fruit in the orchard, that it wouldn’t make them ill, as city candy did at home, very thoughtfully told her guests that each might have two helpings of everything, or even three, or four, if they desired.
Mr. Poodle, thinking it would be a rare treat to the Toy people to have something from the city over the hills, reminded the Queen of the chicken sandwiches and the {91} two rosy red apples. He said these had come safely through the hills, and had been delivered at the Castle by the driver of the express wagon.
The Queen hurriedly sent for the sandwiches and the apples. When these were cut up and served to the guests, everyone spoke of them in the highest terms of praise, and said that never before had they tasted quite such a nice dessert.
It was as plain as it could be that everyone had spoken the truth, for when the banquet was finished, not as much as one single crumb of the dessert could be found on the plates.
During the progress of the banquet, Long Jim, as we already know, had been busy spreading his news in the streets of the city.
It didn’t take long for this news to travel, I can tell you; and just as the King and Queen and their guests were about to rise from the tables, there was a big commotion in the Castle; and through the open windows were heard the cries of alarm in the town.
Then the Major Domo came hurriedly into the Royal Dining Room and announced that the city had been attacked by the army of Grumbletown.