"The Queen was standing still, looking far over the lake. It was some moments before she replied, for the commotion seemed somewhat unusual. Glancing toward Maud, she said, sweetly: "'These, darlings, are all the dolls from the Village of Hide and Seek. They have come down to the shore and are anxiously waiting to be taken over in their ferry-boat to the Island of Dreams that lies in the centre of this beautiful lake.' "Pointing toward the location of the strange island, she continued: "'Wait a few moments and you will see!' she said, casting another hasty glance far over the tide. "The children peered in the direction toward which the Queen pointed, and beheld far in the distance the dim outlines of an island low down on the very edge of the horizon. As they stood there they felt a drowsy sensation creep over them and, like the great Kimbo, they too would have fallen asleep had it not been for the sudden appearance of a strange-looking boat that was coming rapidly across the foam toward the shore. "As it drew into plain view the tumult of the dolls on the strand ceased. The children noticed, to their great amazement, that twelve dolphins were swimming in tandem through the tide and drawing the barque after them; while astride the back of each dolphin sat a beautiful mermaid to guide their course through the foam. With much skill as well as grace, they swang their magnificent craft to a carefully selected landing on the shore of the lake, while all the dolls scampered clamorously aboard, and the boat was soon away on its journey. "Little Maud danced up and down on the big rock in a perfect spasm of delight, at the same time exclaiming as loud as she could: "'Oh, Queen, can't we go, too? Can't we go, too?' "Little Arthur looked up at the Queen disappointed when he saw that the barque was leaving the shore without taking them along. "'Well, darlings,' said the Queen, 'if you wish, you too may go to the Island of Dreams.' "She looked down upon them with a sweet, winning smile. "Nothing in the world could have pleased them so well, for they hoped to meet all the dolls from the village over there. The Queen blew a little gold whistle that hung from a chain about her neck, and the massive head of the great Kimbo instantly appeared above the level of the rock, and he stood rubbing his sleepy eyes with the back of his hand, that seemed larger than the prize ham of a county fair. "'Kimbo, my boy,' said the Queen, 'tell the mermaids to send a boat for us.' "Then she turned to watch the doll boat that was fast disappearing in the distance. "A broad smile swept over the Giant's good-natured face. He stamped his great foot on the ground, and woe to the rocks that were beneath it. The drowsiness left his leg, that, like himself, had fallen asleep, and as his foot came down with a mighty bang the earth all around the big rock trembled as if from an earthquake.