Not a man in the entire army was more than six inches high, and all were made of pewter--just like the boxes of soldiers you buy at the toy shops; but they marched like real live soldiers, and there were so many of them that it was actually an impressive sight. As each company passed beneath the balcony where the Queen sat, the men saluted her respectfully and the officers raised their hats, while the doll Queen bowed graciously in return. "Isn't that a fine army?" she asked, proudly. "They're rather small for soldiers," replied Dot. "I could kick 'em all over with my foot!" said Tot. "Oh, but that would be wrong," exclaimed the Queen. "Surely they haven't done you any harm." "No," said Tot; "but I could fight 'em all." "It's wrong to fight," remarked the Queen, reprovingly. "Then what do you have soldiers for?" questioned Dot. "Why, to march and drill and look pretty, of course," answered the Queen. "I thought everyone loved to see soldiers march." "I suppose they do," said the girl. "No one should wish to hurt such brightly dressed creatures," continued her Majesty, "nor should a soldier wish to harm anyone else." "Yet the wooden Captain at the gate threatened to stick his sword into us," declared the child. "That's different," replied the Queen. "The wooden soldiers are guardians of the Valley, and it is their duty to threaten and scare folks. But had the Captain really hurt you with his sword, I should have had the quarrelsome fellow chopped into kindling wood. He's quite dry and would burn nicely." They sat for some time watching the pewter soldiers drill, and finally the entire army marched away again. When they had gone, the little village seemed as silent and deserted as it had been before. CHAPTER 12 Prince Tot and Princess Dot "Now," said the Queen, "you must come to my throne room and be adopted." So she led the way and they followed her to a beautiful apartment, large and grand, with high ceilings set with precious stones. In the middle of the room stood the Queen's magnificent throne. Seating herself among the cushions of the throne, her Majesty touched a bell which brought Scollops running in. "Send to me all the people of my household, as quickly as possible," commanded the Queen of Merryland. "I am about to perform an important ceremony, and they must all witness my act." Scollops bowed and retired, and the Wax Doll turned to Dot and Tot and remarked, "I've never adopted anyone before so I don't know exactly the form of ceremony I ought to employ; but I shall do the best I can, and that ought to be satisfactory to you." "Oh, yes," said Dot. "I suppose so." "Does it hurt?" asked Tot. "Does what hurt?" "To be 'dopted." "I hope not," said the little Queen; "I shall try to be as gentle as possible."