Thus far the twin-emperors have had none but loyal subjects; but, as they grow out of their babyhood, there are signs of rebellion. The three sisters rebel because Emperors Dwight and Louis will not let them practise their music-lessons in peace. Ted says, "Do find me a place where I can pound nails alone;" for the emperors will insist upon helping him. The emperors have already learned to walk, though they talk only in a language of their own. When they begin to talk plainly in the language of their subjects, I fear that their reign will come to an end. The picture shows you how ten-year-old brother Ned takes his three little brothers to ride on his donkey. TUNG CHO, NORTH CHINA. THE EMPERORS' MAMMA. KINGS AND QUEENS. TOMMY. UPON the lilac-bush I heard The earliest robin sing; I wished, what never will come true, That I could be a king; For, if I only were a king, I know what I would do: I'd have plum-cake, instead of bread, To eat the whole year through; Great heaps of oranges would be Upon my palace-floors, And fountains full of lemonade Spout up beside its doors. FRED, GRACIE, HARRY, ISABEL. Oh, shame upon you, Tommy Brown! You're such a greedy thing! We're glad you are not over us: You should not be our king. JESSIE. And, if I were a queen, I'd wear A new dress every day; No princess in a fairy-tale Would have such fine array; With golden lace and glittering gems My robes my maids would deck, And diamonds large as pigeons' eggs Would hang about my neck. FRED, GRACIE, HARRY, ISABEL. And, oh, how proud and vain you'd be! How fond of being seen! We're glad you are not over us: You should not be our queen. KARL. And, if I were a king, I'd have In every thing my way; My servants would stand waiting round, My wishes to obey; And I would do just what I pleased, And say just what I chose, And not a soul in all the land Would dare my will oppose. FRED, GRACIE, HARRY, ISABEL. And you would be the worst of all: What troubles you would bring! We want no tyrant over us; You should not be our king. LILIAN. And, if I really were a queen, I would put on my crown, And through the country everywhere Go walking up and down; And all the old folks, sick, and poor, I would have warmed and fed, And every houseless little child Should home with me be led; And I would love them all, and try To do the best I could To make the sorry people glad, The naughty people good. FRED, GRACIE, HARRY, ISABEL. And you would have the happiest reign That ever yet was seen; And, if we had a queen at all, Then you should be our queen. MARIAN DOUGLAS. [Illustration] [Illustration: DRAWING-LESSON. VOL. XXIX.--NO. 4.]