you know
very well. Coralie, do you consider 'majesty' a proper word to use when
addressing a Queen?" she added, appealing to the Pinky woman.

"By no means," was the prompt reply.

"What shall I call her, then?" inquired Cap'n Bill.

"Just Tourmaline. That is her name, and it is sufficient," said the
woman.

"The Ruler of a country ought to be treated with great respec',"
declared Trot a little indignantly, for she thought the pretty little
queen was not being properly deferred to.

"Why?" asked Tourmaline curiously.

"Because the Ruler is the mos' 'risticratic person in any land,"
explained the little girl. "Even in America ever'body bows low to our
President, an' the Blueskins are so 'fraid o' their Boolooroo that they
tremble whenever they go near him."

"But surely that is all wrong," said Tourmaline gravely. "The Ruler is
appointed to protect and serve the people, and here in the Pink Country
I have the full power to carry out the laws. I even decree death when
such a punishment is merited. Therefore I am a mere agent to direct the
laws, which are the Will of the People, and am only a public servant
obliged constantly to guard the welfare of my subjects."

"In that case," said Button-Bright, "you're entitled to the best there
is to pay for your trouble. A powerful ruler ought to be rich and to
live in a splendid palace. Your folks ought to treat you with great
respect, as Trot says."

"Oh no," responded Tourmaline quickly. "That would indeed be very
wrong. Too much should never be given to anyone. If, with my great
power, conferred upon me by the people, I also possessed great wealth,
I might be tempted to be cruel and overbearing. In that case my
subjects would justly grow envious of my superior station. If I lived
as luxuriously as my people do and had servants and costly gowns, the
good Pinkies would say that their Queen had more than they themselves,
and it would be true. No, our way is best. The Ruler, be it king or
queen, has absolute power to rule, but no riches, no high station, no
false adulation. The people have the wealth and honor, for it is their
due. The Queen has nothing but the power to execute the laws, to adjust
grievances and to compel order."

"What pays you, then, for all your bother?" asked Trot.

"I have one great privilege. After my death a pink marble statue of me
will be set up in the Grand Court, with the statues of the other Kings
and Queens who have ruled this land, and