THE King was in his counting-house,
Counting out his money;
The Queen was in the parlor,
Eating bread and honey.
And now let us see where little Puss, Junior, was. Oh yes, I remember
now. He was in the garden of the Blackbird-pie Castle, where the poor
maid's nose had been nipped by a naughty, bad blackbird. Well, after the
good Doctor had gone, the old retainer took Puss to see the King, who
was so busy counting his money that he didn't even look up.
"Your Worship," began the retainer.
"What do you want?" asked the King, angrily. "I've just counted up to
three trillion two hundred and thirty-seven billion, nine hundred and
forty-eight million, seven hundred and fifteen thousand, four hundred
and--and--now you've gone and made me miss, and I'll have to count all
over again."
"Start off at four hundred. A few sovereigns less won't matter to a
king," said little Puss, Junior.
"I'm not so sure about that," replied His Majesty, taking off his crown
and scratching his head. "One likes to be right as well as King!"
"Nobody said, my lord!" cried the old retainer. "But consider your
health. Let's take this wise cat's suggestion and quit for the time
being."
"All right," said the King. "Let's go find the Queen."
She was in the parlor eating bread and honey. "How do you do, my dear
Puss, Junior?" she cried.
"I am very well, thank Your Majesty," he replied.
"I have just heard what valuable assistance you have rendered our
court," continued the Queen.
Puss would have blushed had not his cheeks been covered with whiskers.
"I did but do my duty, Your Majesty," he replied.
"What's that?" asked the King.
"Did you not hear, my lord?" cried the Queen. "Our maid had her nose
bitten by a naughty blackbird, and our little friend here quickly
fetched the Doctor, bringing him on his Good Gray Horse in short time."
"Indeed!" exclaimed His Majesty. "I will reward him. He shall have a
castle and a retinue."
"Your Royal Highness," exclaimed Puss, Junior, "I am overwhelmed with
your generosity, but I needs must decline your offer. For until I find
my father, the famous Puss in Boots, I may not rest upon my journey
except for sleep and refreshment."
[Illustration]
"Zounds!" exclaimed the King. "You are a gallant cat. Would that all my
subjects were as faithful to their duty as you are! But," he added,
with a smile, "you shall rest here for the night, for a good dinner and
a sound sleep will make you travel the faster on the morrow."
The Queen by this time had finished her bread and honey.
"Come out on the terrace," she suggested, "for it is cool and pleasant
there, and the flowers are very beautiful. I would show Sir Cat our
flower garden."
The King, therefore, gave his arm to the Queen and Puss gallantly held
up her train, the three walking slowly out upon the broad terrace. The
sun was quite low in the sky, for it was late in the afternoon. The big
hills to the westward seemed to hold up the sky, and Puss wondered
whether the jolly old sun would not bump himself as he slid down over
the edge of the world.
"Come, Puss dear, take my hand," said the Queen. She then went over and
sat down on a marble bench. Picking up Puss, she held him in her arms
and commenced to sing, and presently he fell fast asleep. The Queen
looked up at the King and said, "Is he not a dear little cat?" and the
King for answer took from his purse several gold pieces and tucked them
away in Puss, Junior's, pocket.