This speech caused the Brownies to burst into a sudden wild cheer that made the welkin ring, for they realized that not only had King Stanislaus set approval on what they had done, but he had gone much further. [Illustration] He had made Florimel his heir by adoption, and successor to the Brownie throne! "See that he is properly attired," was the royal command, and once more Florimel's appearance underwent a swift and startling change. From some invisible source fresh wardrobe was supplied, and from a plain, ordinary Brownie he was transformed into a handsome, dashing little prince as pert and pretty a sprig of royalty as one could see in many a long journey over lands where there were kings and queens with large, flourishing families--in trunks, doublet, and cape, with a cap that perched jauntily upon his roguish curls. Filled with gratitude was he over this great, this unexpected honor that had befallen him and he expressed his thanks as best he could feeling that the words he used were poor at best, but vowing loyalty and obedience in all things evermore to his gracious foster-parent. "It will not be so very long, my son, before you occupy the throne," said King Stanislaus, and his voice took on a rather pensive tone. "A few short years--a couple of thousands or so--and I shall have passed away. When I am gone I shall leave to you all-out-doors and the love of children, a priceless heritage which you must treasure tenderly and never lose." Then came the Brownies with pledges of fealty to their prince, and Florimel smiled back into their smiling faces, while all were glad. The Policeman limping slightly came and offered him his club, but Florimel good-humoredly refused it, and waved him aside. The Sailor came next with his spy-glass, but Florimel laughingly declined it also. Each of the band in a free-hearted way evinced a desire to surrender to him his most cherished possession, and much touched was he by their expressions of good will. But the most he would accept was an eagle's feather which had been dropped by one of the birds to the ground, and which the Dude stuck in his cap. Soon matters took on their usual routine, and, noticing that the Policeman limped, King Stanislaus asked: "Officer, what's the matter?" [Illustration] "I fell off the palace-wall last night, Your Majesty, when I was tacking up the placard." "What did you fall against?" "I fell against my will. One of the fairy guards mistook me for an enemy, and fired a charge of shot at me." "Did you press a complaint?" "No, I withdrew the charge." Into an admiring group some distance off the well-informed Dude was instilling the first principles of etiquette. "It is not good form to try to eat your peas with a knife," he told them. "You should spear them with a fork." And the Sailor was growling to the German: "Avast there, you lubber! A dog-watch isn't a chronometer."