"Yes, indeed; and I told him just how to block up the archway if any more strangers appeared," was the answer. "Was he countin' his whiskers?" asked Tot. "Not when I arrived. I think he was playing with a piece of jelly cake." "Oh, yes," said the girl. "Tot gave it to him." The Queen was silent for a time, and appeared to be thinking without her machine, which made the girl anxious. But finally her Majesty said, "Now that I have looked after the safety of my first three Valleys, I feel I should visit the last three, for it has been years since I have entered them." "Can't we go with you?" asked Dot, eagerly. "I cannot answer that question now, for I have not consulted my thinking machine, without which I never make an important move, but I will let you know in the morning." Dot and Tot were all excitement after that to know what the thinking machine would advise, for they were curious to see the remaining Valleys of this wonderful country. But the Queen said no more about the journey that evening, and devoted herself to entertaining them in such a pretty and modest way that they grew to love the big Wax Doll very dearly. Before breakfast the next morning, however, they asked what her thinking machine had said, and she at once replied: "You may, if you wish, go with me to visit the other Valleys. Since you are my adopted children and a Prince and Princess of Merryland, it is right you should know all about your own country; therefore we will make the journey together." "That's lovely!" cried Dot, with delight. "When shall we start?" "Whenever you please," answered the Queen. "As you seem so anxious, we may as well start after breakfast." "Good!" exclaimed Tot, who was already busily eating; "I'm ready." So, breakfast being finished, they all walked down to the river, wearing their golden crowns and feeling happy at the prospect of new adventures. They found the boat lying beside the steps outside the wall, and the wooden soldiers who were on guard saluted them respectfully as they seated themselves and made ready to start. The Queen sat in the middle of the boat, with Dot at one end and Tot at the other. But now they were not obliged to wait for the slow current to carry them along. For when the pretty Queen waved her fairy wand around her golden head, the boat shot out from the shore and glided swiftly toward the rocky arch that led to the Fifth Valley of Merryland. This they reached in a few minutes and passed quickly through, while Dot and Tot looked eagerly ahead to see what the Fifth Valley was like. It seemed very quiet as it lay under the rays of the morning sun, and at first the children thought the Valley resembled one of the quiet country scenes at home. For nothing remarkable met their eyes, and they felt rather relieved at the contrast between this and the wonderful Toy Valley they had just left.