, just to show that he did
not care a bit if they did not agree with him; and then he bowed to
Molly almost as gracefully as a fairy might have done at the front of
the sun.

"She is a real Queen," he said; "and real Queens must be obeyed."

And when Molly declared that she should probably cry if they did not
immediately allow her to have her own way, the other three wymps were
obliged to follow Queer's example.

"You are a real Queen, and you may do as you like," they said in a
resigned tone; and Molly clapped her hands with delight.

"Then please fetch me some plum-cake, and a large ice, and lots of
barley sugar; I am so hungry," she said. Immediately, everything she
asked for was lying before her on the King's throne, and they all sat
down and enjoyed such a dinner as only a wymp or a real Queen would
know how to appreciate. When they had finished, Molly said she should
like to see the rest of Wympland, for nobody at the front of the sun
had ever been able to tell her anything about it; so they led her all
over it, which did not take them longer than the rest of the afternoon,
for the world at the back of the sun is smaller than some people think,
and that is a very good thing, for after all it is better to live on
the right side of the sun if one is not a wymp.

"It is a very flat country," said the little Queen, as she trotted
along with two wymps on each side of her.

"It has to be flat," explained Skilful. "If it were tilted ever so
little we should roll into the sun and out at the other side, don't you
see; and no true wymp ever wants to do that."

"It is rather dark, too," continued the little Queen.

"Of course," said Wilful, proudly. "It is always the same here. Now,
when you get to the front of the sun you never know whether it is going
to be light or dark. There are no surprises of that sort at the back
of the sun."

"And where," asked Molly, "is the royal palace?"

"Wherever you like," answered Captious in an obliging tone. "Would you
like it here, or will you have it a little nearer the sun? Of course
it is warmer, near the sun, but you will find it much noisier because
the stars are so fond of chattering."

"I should like it here, please," said Molly, who did not want to wait
another minute for her palace. Hardly were her words spoken than a
perfectly charming little palace appeared in front of her, just large
enough for such a very small Queen to feel happy in. It was all made
of