n in my
copy-book, 'Speak not of the absent, or speak as a friend.'"

"Now for another game," cried Gertrude. "Here is one of mine. I call it
'Potentates.' It's very simple, and you can vary it according to your
taste. You visit a foreign country, and see the rulers and grandees; you
can mention their names or not, as you wish. I'll begin, to show one way
of playing it.

"I went to England and was presented at court. I had a superb dress made
for the occasion, which I will not describe, as I see the boys are all
ready to laugh. But my father had to wear a special drawing-room suit
for the presentation, also, and he looked as funny and quaint as if he
had stepped out of an old picture. His sword hung at his side, and he
had to practice walking with it, and bowing over it, or it would have
played him a trick. It was worse than my long train.

"When my turn came to be presented and the Lord Chamberlain announced my
name, I felt like sinking into the ground; but I didn't. I think the
dignity of my grand dress supported me. Somehow I reached the throne,
where sat in state Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress
of India, Defender of the Faith, etc. On either side were princesses of
the blood, ladies of honor, and others according to rank. I had seen my
predecessors kneel before Her Majesty, so I had to put my democratic
feelings into my pocket and do the same. I made believe to myself that I
knelt because she is a pattern woman, is the best queen England ever
had, and is old enough to be my grandmother, having reigned fifty years.
She graciously extended her hand. I did not shake it, as report says one
fair American savage did, but humbly kissed it, and then retreated
backward with eyes still fixed upon the Queen in all her glory, and
scarcely knowing which gave me the most trouble, my long train or my
wounded self-respect.

"I afterwards saw the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Archbishop of
Canterbury, dukes and duchesses, lords and ladies--a brilliant
constellation. But I very much doubt if they saw me. And these are the
potentates of Old England."

"As for me," said Charlie Bolton, "I saw the Dey of Algiers, and a very
brilliant dey he was! By way of contrast, I determined to visit the
Knights of Malta, but on inquiry found that they had not been in
existence for nearly ninety years, and therefore gave it up. Instead I
concluded to see the Knights of Labor, who abound in this favored land,
and appear