The dolls seemed greatly disappointed at this, and one saucy-looking wooden-jointed doll said crossly: "The Queen has no right to go away and take the key. How are we to amuse ourselves all day unless we can dance?" "Tot and I will play with you," answered Dot. "Very well," said a big China doll which wore a rather soiled and ragged dress. "What new games do you know?" Dot mentioned several; but the dolls laughed at her, crying out: "That's old! We're tired of that! Give us something new!" "The old games are very nice games," said the girl, "and I do not see why you should object to playing them." "We'll object if we want to!" declared a worn-looking kid doll, whose joints were so ripped that they scattered sawdust whenever it moved. "You're not our Queen." "But I'm your Princess," said Dot, with dignity, "and while the Queen is away I have the right to rule in this Valley." "So have I," said Tot. "Then rule!" shouted the saucy wooden doll. "Rule as the Queen does, and give us music to dance by." "Yes! yes!" they all cried. "We want to dance!" And they flung their arms over their heads, and leaped and pranced so energetically that the ground was quite strewn with sawdust that leaked out of them. Dot was much troubled at the noisy demands of the dolls. She had expected a quiet and happy day playing with these pretty creatures, and now, even in the first hour of their awakening, they were proving very troublesome. Tot seemed to enjoy the excitement, however, and stood behind Dot, with his hands in his pockets, smiling gleefully. While she was thinking what was best to be done, the rag doll Scollops came up to Dot and said: "Since the music box is locked up, why do you not order out the pewter band to play for them?" "That is a good idea," she exclaimed, her face brightening. "Go at once, Scollops and tell the musicians to come and play." While Scollops was on this errand the dolls became more noisy than ever, and one of them tried to knock Tot's crown off. But the boy gave the naughty doll such a strong push that he pushed over a dozen or more that stood behind it. "Don't hurt them, Tot," said the girl; "remember they are not strong and will break easily." "I'll smash 'em if they touch me!" cried the boy, indignantly; "I'm Prince Tot." Fortunately, the pewter band now made its appearance, and at Dot's command they stood in a circle at one edge of the road and began to play a waltz. The effect of the music upon the dolls was laughable. They immediately began waltzing around as merrily as could be, and paid no further attention to Dot and Tot. While they danced the dolls kept up a continual chattering and laughter, and they looked so sweet and happy that the children could hardly realize they had been so cross and unreasonable a short time before.