Sandy, get into that throne,—­never mind if it is upset,—­set it up again.  Grand Sandjandrum, take your place on that mussed up sand heap.  You two other chaps,—­stand one each side of the prisoner as sentinels.  I’ll conduct this case, and Queen Sandy will pronounce the sentence.  It’s us Maynards that Hester Corey seems to have a grudge against, so it’s up to us Maynards to take charge of the case.  Prisoner, stand on that board there.”

“I won’t do it!” snapped Hester, and the red locks shook vigorously.

“You will do it,” said King, quietly, and for some reason or other Hester quailed before his glance, and then meekly stood where he told her to.

“Have you anything to say for yourself?” King went on.  “Any excuse to offer for such a mean, hateful piece of work?”

Hester sulked a minute, then she said: 

“Yes, I was mad at you, because you all have such good times, and wouldn’t let me in them.”

“What do you mean by that?  You never asked to come in.”

“I did.  I asked Tom Craig yesterday, and he wouldn’t ask you.”

“Then why are you mad at us?”

“Because you’re so proud and exclusive.  You think yourselves so great; you think nobody’s as good as you are!”

“That isn’t true, Hester,” said King, quite gently; “and even if it were, are you proving yourself better than we are by cutting up this mean, babyish trick?  If you want us to like you, why not make yourself likeable, instead of horrid and hateful?”

This was a new idea to Hester, and she stared at King as if greatly interested.

“That’s right,” he went on.  “If people want people to like them, they must be likeable.  They must be obliging and kind and pleasant, and not small and spiteful.”

“You haven’t been very nice to me,” muttered Hester.

“We haven’t had a chance.  And before we get a chance you upset everything by making us dislike you!  What kind of common sense is that?”

“Maybe you could forgive me,” suggested Hester, hopefully.

“Maybe we could, later on.  But we’re for fair play, and you treated us unfairly.  So now, you’ve got to be punished.  Queen Sandy, Grand Sandjandrum, which of you can suggest proper punishment for this prisoner of ours?”

Tom thought for a moment, then he said: 

“Seems ’s if she ought to put this palace back in order, just as it was when she found it,—­but that’s too hard work for a girl.”

“I’ll help her,” said Harry, earnestly.  “I’m sorry for her.”

“Sorry for her!” cried Tom, with blazing eyes. “Sorry for the girl that spoiled our palace!”

“Well, you see,” went on Harry, “she’s sorry herself now.”

CHAPTER IV

SAND COURT

With one accord, they all looked at Hester.  Sure enough, it was easily to be seen that she was sorry.  All her anger and rage had vanished, and she stood digging one toe into the sand, and twisting from side to side, with her eyes cast down, and two big tears rolling slowly down her cheeks.