HINKING there was now nothing to fear from an attack by the army of Grumbletown, the Toyville soldiers were ordered to return from the hills, and already the sound of rumbling wheels in the streets, told how promptly this order had been obeyed by the Commanding General.
“We have much to make us thankful,” said the Mayor to one of his councillors. “It certainly would have been a sad occurrence had the capture of the Queen resulted in her being carried away to Grumbletown. I think the occasion demands a celebration, and I should suggest that {130} we at once prepare a big party to take place on the lawns and in the pavilions of the Palace gardens.”
“A splendid suggestion,” cried the councillors with one accord. “Let us lose no time in getting under way the arrangements.”
The gardens, brilliant with pots of flowering shrubs and beds of blossoming plants, their broad stretches of lawn bordered by hedges of box, and interlaced with white pebbled walks, formed an ideal place for the holding of a social gathering of this nature.
When to the natural beauty of the gardens there was added the beauty of the handsome dresses and uniforms worn by the guests, the scene thus presented proved of untold loveliness.
In one of the pavilions sat an orchestra which rendered the most delightful music imaginable; in another pavilion were many little tables where were served refreshments of the daintiest confections; in a third pavilion the highly polished and waxed floor was given over to dancing.
Under such delightful conditions, the King and Queen, as well as the Lords and Ladies, soon forgot their recent fears, and with Rolie Polie in his new uniform standing guard at the front gate, one and all felt perfectly safe.
Outside the walls of the Castle and gardens, the streets of the city were quiet and almost deserted, for the Toy people had repaired to the park, where they, too, were celebrating with all manner of jolly games and sports.
Meanwhile, King Red Beard had not been idle, and by the time his spies returned to tell how matters were going in Toyville, he had two hundred picked ruffians ready to make a last attempt to capture the King and Queen. {131}
How Red Beard did laugh when his spies told him of the celebration that was being held in Toyville. “Ha, ha, ha,” said he, “those Toy people think they have seen the last of old Red Beard, do they? Well, we will soon show them their mistake.”