If he had not been so intent upon hiding he would have heard the Miller laugh and say that: “Perhaps the little clown was not after all much to blame, for he hadn’t had much experience at mill tending.” That was the way it was with the Toy people; they never could be cross with anybody, or, at least, they could not be cross for long.
Rolie Polie did not hear the Miller say this though, but what he did hear was an approaching throng in the street. These, with shouts and cries of: “Who opened the gates? Who opened the gates?” were now almost at the mill.
As for the little Miller, he too heard the cry. “Oh me, oh my!” said he, “this certainly looks threatening for Rolie {117} Polie; and really the fault was not so much his as mine. I should never have left the mill in his care.” The next {118} minute the Miller of Dee stepped briskly to the open door. “I am the one for whom you are looking,” said he.
Whatever the Miller of Dee expected would happen when he made the announcement, I do not know, but of this much I am certain, that which did happen was without doubt a big surprise.
“The Miller of Dee! the Miller of Dee! Hurrah for the Miller of Dee!” cried the throng as they rushed forward; and, taking hold of the little Miller, twined a wreath of roses about his shoulders and placed him on the back of Rolie Polie’s donkey.
“To the Castle!” they cried; and off they started.
It was as much as two minutes before the little Miller could get enough breath to speak. “Why am I being taken to the Castle? Why is this wreath about my neck? And why do you cheer?” he asked.
“Listen!” cried one of the Toy people to his companions. “The Miller of Dee asks why we cheer! Why shouldn’t we cheer? Hurrah for the Miller of Dee, who opened the gates of the dam and let the water out of the lake, so the pirate ship was left high and dry in the river!”
When, at last, the noise had subsided enough for the little Miller to be heard, he asked: “Is that what has really happened? Has the pirate boat been captured and has Queen Helen been rescued?”