“O Queen,” Kitty began, “you have already taken oath of office, O Queen!  So now naught remains but to take the seat of royalty, the honored throne of Sand Court, O Queen!”

And then Hester scored her success.  She stepped up on the sand mound that was the throne, and bowed her head while Kitty transferred the vine wreath that represented the crown.  Then Hester drew herself up majestically, waved her sceptre, and declaimed: 

“I, the Queen of Sand Court, accept this honor that is thus thrust upon me!”

There were some astonished faces among the courtiers at this speech, but nobody interrupted.

“I, Queen Sandy, promise to be a good Queen to my beloved courtiers, and never to lose my temper or speak cross, but to emulate the sweet and sunlighty disposition of our departing and beloved Queen, who is now a Sand Witch.  Wherefore, my courtiers, I beseech your fealty and faith, and I present my compliments, and the compliments of this court to our visitor, the Princess San Diego.  This lovely lady has been a great help, and we now salute her.  I bid thee all salute!”

They all saluted by bowing low to Kitty; indeed, the page bowed so low that he tumbled over, but soon scrambled up again.

“And now,” went on Queen Sandy, “I bid thee salute our Sand Witch.  She is a witch of goodness and joy.  We all love her, the court honors her, and one and all we now salute her!”

More low bows followed, and then the court resumed its upright attitude and awaited orders.

“There is no more saluting necessary,” explained the gracious Queen.  “You boy courtiers can’t expect it.  Now the court is dismissed and the Sand Club will play something.”

The Queen came down from the throne, and courtly manners and speeches were laid aside.

“Let’s fix up the court instead of playing,” suggested Kitty, and as all thought this a good idea, they went at it.

Everybody worked with a will, for it was fun to get the court in order again, and Kitty and Midget were so fond of fixing up and decorating that when the task was over, Sand Court was far handsomer than ever before.

Shell borders outlined the throne and the courtier’s seat, and the old legless chair was so draped with cheesecloth and green vines that it was a picture in itself.  Then it was luncheon time, and the courtiers said good-bye and parted to go to their homes.

“She’s a funny girl,” said Kitty, as the Maynard trio reached their house.  “As soon as she got what she wanted, she was sweet as pie.  But if you hadn’t given up the Queen to her, Mops, she would have been madder’n hops.”

“I know it,” said Midget, “but that wasn’t the reason I did it.  I did it ’cause I thought it was fairer for her to have a turn at being Queen.”

“And it was,” said Kitty, judicially.  “I think you did right, Mopsy; but, all the same, she’ll never keep that promise to be sweet and pleasant.”