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"
To create some excitement," the Captain answered. "It is so quiet here
that we are all getting rusty for want of amusement. For my part, I
prefer to see stirring times."
"
Naturally," returned the cleaver, with a nod. "I have always said,
Captain, without a bit of irony, that you are a sterling officer and a solid
citizen, bowled and polished to a degree. But what do you expect me to
do with these prisoners?"
"
That is for you to decide," declared the Captain. "You are the King."
"
To be sure; to be sure," muttered the cleaver, musingly. "As you say, we
have had dull times since the steel and grindstone eloped and left us.
Command my Counselors and the Royal Courtiers to attend me, as well
as the High Priest and the Judge. We'll then decide what can be done."
The Captain saluted and retired and Dorothy sat down on an overturned
kettle and asked:
"
"
Have you anything to eat in your kingdom?"
Here! Get up! Get off from me!" cried a faint voice, at which his Majesty
the cleaver said:
"
Excuse me, but you're sitting on my friend the Ten-quart Kettle."
Dorothy at once arose, and the kettle turned right side up and looked at
her reproachfully.
"
"
"
I'm a friend of the King, so no one dares sit on me," said he.
I'd prefer a chair, anyway," she replied.
Sit on that hearth," commanded the King.
So Dorothy sat on the hearth-shelf of the big range, and the subjects of
Utensia began to gather around in a large and inquisitive throng. Toto
lay at Dorothy's feet and Billina flew upon the range, which had no fire in
it, and perched there as comfortably as she could.
When all the Counselors and Courtiers had assembled--and these
seemed to include most of the inhabitants of the kingdom--the King
rapped on the block for order and said:
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