"That is the way we keep our Valley from getting crowded," said the old Stork. "Do you suppose," asked Dot, "that I lived here once, when I was a baby?" "Probably," answered the bird. "But, of course, I cannot remember all the babies, especially after they grow big." "Oh, of course not," exclaimed the girl. "Course not," said Tot; "too many of 'em." "Now, if you will excuse me, I'll feed the two babies who have just arrived," said the motherly old Stork; and so the children watched it and the other Storks for some time, and admired the gentle way in which they tended the babies, and heard again and again the crooning song: Hushaby, lullaby, Sweet flower from the sky, which always seemed to have the effect of sending the babies to sleep. Having taken one more drink at the fountain and said goodbye to the kind Storks, Dot and Tot returned to their boat. As they pushed it out into the stream, Dot asked a Stork that stood watching them: "What is in the next Valley?" "Oh, the Queen of all Merryland lives there," answered the bird, "for that is the Fourth Valley, and lies in the center of the Seven." Then, with a feeling of awe at their approach to the Queen who ruled this wonderful land, the children turned their eyes anxiously toward the fourth archway. But as the boat drifted through its entrance, Tot looked back into the Valley they were leaving and noticed another baby-blossom floating down from the sky, while the voice of a Stork sang softly: "Coo-oo-oo, Coo-oo-oo! Babies are born every minute, 'tis true." CHAPTER 10 The Queen of Merryland When the boat carried Dot and Tot beyond the rocky arch that led to the Fourth and most important Valley of Merry-land, the children held their breaths in suspense; for here lived the Queen of all this wonderful country, and they had no idea what she was like. "Perhaps she will be angry with us for disobeying the Watch-Dog's orders," Dot whispered; "and then she may punish us in some terrible manner." "No, she won't," replied Tot, confidently. "Perhaps she will make us slaves and compel us to work for her," continued Dot, with a little shudder. "No, she won't," protested Tot, stoutly. "Why won't she, Tot?" asked the girl. "'Cause it's Merryland," returned the boy. "Ah! That's true," said Dot, thoughtfully; "the Queen of this lovely and happy country couldn't be very cross with us." "Course not," agreed Tot. "Then we won't be afraid," she added, her courage restored by Tot's simple faith; "but will wait and see what happens to us." The boat now swept around a bend in the river, and they saw they were in a Valley somewhat larger than any they had yet visited; but their view was shut off by a high wall that ran along the river bank on one side, and by the rocky edge of the Valley on the other side.