“The king can do what he likes, can’t he?” the boy asked. “Certainly, your Majesty.” “Then let the lord high executioner step forward!” [Illustration: “‘THEN LET THE LORD HIGH EXECUTIONER STEP FORWARD!’”] “Oh, Bud! What are you going to do?” said Fluff, seizing him tightly by the arm. “You let me alone!” answered Bud. “I’m not going to be a king for nothing. And Aunt Rivette whipped me once—sixteen hard switches! I counted ’em.” The executioner was now bowing before him. “Get a switch,” commanded the king. The executioner brought a long, slender birch bough. “Now,” said Bud, “you give Aunt Rivette sixteen good switches.” “Oh, don’t! Don’t, Bud!” pleaded Meg. Aunt Rivette fell on her knees, pale and trembling. In agony she raised her hands. “I’ll never do it again! Let me off, your Majesty!” she screamed. “Let me off this once! I’ll never do it again! Never! Never!” “All right,” said Bud, with a cheery smile. “I’ll let you off this time. But if you don’t behave, or if you interfere with me or Fluff, I’ll have the lord high executioner take charge of you. Just remember I’m the king, and then we’ll get along all right. Now you may go upstairs if you wish to and pick out a room on the top story. Fluff and I are going to play.” With this he laid his crown carefully on the seat of the throne and threw off his ermine robe. “Come on, Fluff! We’ve had enough business for to-day,” he said, and dragged the laughing princess from the room, while Aunt Rivette meekly followed the lord high steward up the stairs to a comfortable apartment just underneath the roof. She was very well satisfied at last; and very soon she sent for the lord high purse-bearer and demanded money with which to buy some fine clothes for herself. This was given her willingly, for the law provided for the comfort of every relative of the king, and knowing this, Aunt Rivette fully intended to be the most comfortable woman in the kingdom of Noland. Chapter VII. THE WINGS OF AUNT RIVETTE. Bud and Meg had plenty to occupy them in looking over and admiring their new possessions. First they went to the princess’s rooms, where Fluff ordered her seven maids to spread out all the beautiful gowns she had received. And forty of them made quite an imposing show, I assure you. They were all dainty and sweet and of rich material, suitable for all occasions, and of all colors and shades. Of course there were none with trains, for Margaret, although a princess, was only a little girl; but the gowns were gay with bright ribbons and jeweled buttons and clasps; and each one had its hat and hosiery and slippers to match. After admiring the dresses for a time, they looked at Bud’s new clothes—twenty suits of velvets, brocades, and finely woven cloths. Some had diamonds and precious gems sewn on them for ornaments, while others were plain; but the poorest suit there was finer than the boy had ever dreamed of possessing.