played together and tried to be friends.

But Primrose and Daffodil were vain and selfish and wilful; and the
little Princes soon found that they expected to have their own way
about everything, and flew into sad passions if any one dared to reprove
them. So the little boys were more unhappy than ever when they were told
that their father was to marry the Princess, and these disagreeable
girls were to be their half-sisters.

There was a splendid wedding, and the bells rang, and the trumpets
sounded, and every one feasted and danced; for the fountains were filled
with wine, and tables were spread in the market-place, so that all the
poor people could have a good time as well as the rich. The new Queen
was very anxious to please her subjects, and made things so gay that at
first every one praised her; and the King gladly let her rule, as it
left him quiet with his books and bottles. Now the little girls were
prouder than ever, and shone like the sun in their fine new gowns. But
the Princes would not change their purple velvet suits, though they put
on gold belts and set jonquils in their caps in honor of the Queen. They
tried to enjoy the gayety, but soon found that they were neglected by
every one; for people saw who was to have the power, and hastened to
pet and flatter the young Princesses in order to please their mother.
She showed how she meant to rule the first time she took the throne; for
the King was not there, and she sat alone in her cloth-of-gold robes
very splendid to see. She put her daughters one at each side on the
green satin chairs set for the Princes, and ordered the poor boys to
share her footstool between them.

Some people were very angry at this, and told the King. But he only
said: "Don't trouble me. Her Majesty will do as she thinks best; and my
sons will obey her as if they were her own." So nothing could be done;
and the gentle boys sat at the Queen's feet, while the vain little girls
rustled and smiled and tossed their heads on the high seats where they
did not belong.

This was the beginning of sad times for the Princes; for the new mother
wanted them out of the way that she might reign when the King died. She
dared not send them away so soon; but she ordered them to live quietly
with their tutors and servants in a lonely part of the palace, and never
allowed them to come to the feasts, the hunting-parties, or any of the
splendid shows with which she amused the people. Since their father di