Rube was first of all a freeborn American--secondly, an aristocrat. "What's the use of being somebody if you've got to knuckle down to what people say?" "But you are not obliged to crown anybody," insinuated Clara. "Rather than crown this low-born girl, make some one your proxy. Jerome would--" "Oh, I have no doubt, with pleasure! You are a deep one, Clara, but you'll wear no crown this day. Might as well give it up." So she perceived, and turned off in a rage, first informing him that he always had been, and always would be an unconscionable ass. "You have fully decided, then?" questioned the master of ceremonies. "I have," Rube told him, beginning to get put out. Pretty Mell might well have been a scare-crow, such consternation had she created amongst them all. "I decided some time ago. Will it be necessary for me to mount a tree-top and blow a clarion blast before I can make you all understand that I am going to crown Mellville Creecy, and nobody else?" "Certainly not, certainly not," hastily replied the master of ceremonies. He too was disappointed; he had a sister. Was there ever a man in power who didn't have a sister?--who didn't have a good many, all wanting crowns? "Will you make a speech?" "Nary speech," declared Rube, laughing. "I'm not so swift in my tongue as my legs! See here, Cap'n, there's no occasion for an unnecessary amount of tomfoolery about this thing. Some gentleman bring Miss Creecy forward. I'll put this gewgaw on her in a jiffy, and that'll be the end of it!" Rube smiled softly to himself. That was very far from being the end of it. "Mell! Mell!" screamed Miss Josie, running up to her _protege_, the bearer of astonishing news, "you don't know what's going to happen! You'd never guess it! Rube is going to crown you, my pretty darling! You are to be queen of Love and Beauty." "But, I'd rather not," said Mell, drawing back. "Rather not?" screamed Miss Josey. "Did anybody ever before hear of a woman who would rather not be a queen--a queen in the hearts of men?" "I don't see how you can help it," continued Miss Josey. Mell did not, either, alas! "But I don't wonder you feel a little frightened about it. It is such a wonderful thing for Rube to do: but Rube has two eyes in his head, Rube has, and knows the prettiest girl in the county when he sees her! This thing is going to be the making of you, Mell (rather say the undoing, Miss Josey) so don't be so frightened, but hold your head high, and bear your honors bravely, and remember all eyes are upon you. The rest of the girls are fairly dying with envy, don't forget that!"