r. Bill, who was still dutifully obeying his father and looking after Queen Teresa, were at the

Tessie, remorsefully, as Granny opened puzzled eyes. Tessie slipp

like to know any of Pete's old friends who stayed at home who've been kings! I'm glad Pete took my advice, though the good Lord knows he was too headstrong and stubborn to take anybody's advice but his own. And you're a queen, Tessie!" She smiled proudly at the little queen. "I sure am glad for you! When I told you this morning that the good Lord would get around to the Gilfoolys some day, I never thought of anything so grand as this. And I'm glad even if it do

ders and gave her a little shake. "Can you believe it, Granny?" she

d. "No," she said tr

ried triumphantly. "It's true! Isn't it?" she appealed to Mr. Bill. "And I shan'

of things. I like to see new things and pretty things as much as anybody. I'd like to know what Mrs. Scanlon'll say now! She was bragging just this morning when I hung out the clothes because her Lil's a stenographer. I'd li

ny, Tessie's nose was sniffing the air. "Have you anything on the s

s. Now then, Tessie, what's the first thing to do? I'll bet you have it all planned out in that clever little head of yours." She looked triumphantly at Mr. Bill as if to ask him if he had ever seen another girl with such a clever l

as a rose, and she looked a thousand apologies as she smiled

ped Granny when she und

ill said eagerly, so that Granny might know why he was pr

nervous I almost went out to ask him to exercise on the other end of the block for awhile, and not wear out our sidewalk, but just then a fat man with a tow-head and a big nose came up in a purple taxicab and spoke to him, and they went away together. The dark-complexioned gentleman had rings

ng is to go to Mifflin and get a copy of father's and mother's wedd

l make a fine queen, won't she, Mr. Bill? And how are you going to Mifflin

ssie explained importantly. "The old lawyer, Mr. Marvin, arranged it. I don't

pleased to hear that Tessie did not care to drive one hundred and

ine," bea

itting beside Tessie and staring at her with big round eyes. Just ima

y suddenly, for her keen eyes had seen the end of somethi

ished eyes. "It's the sign I'm Queen of the Sunshine Islands. If I lose it, I lose my kingdom." She laughed softly. She had no intentio

s and patted it as she would have patted Pete's fingers if he had been present-an

e lawyers say it's all right. It would

" objected Granny. She liked to see the

have given me this, but I have to know I am before I wear

a baking-powder can. I often tuck away a quarter or a dime in one. My soul and body!" She had forgotten that Mr. Bill was not a member of the family. She didn't remember it until she had disclosed h

uld let father keep it in his safe, or Mr. Marvin take care of it. I

" The Boy Scout bristled with indignation at b

biggest help!" T

; and now she had hugged the Boy Scout. Perhap

n't been for you," Tessie told Johnny proudly. "We just

hnny explained with haughty scorn because they h

Mr. Bill suddenly, although he did not

ion than this. Even your wedding, Tessie, won't mean so much to me as your being a queen. Any girl can have a wedding, even Lil Scanlon next door, but I never knew a girl who was a queen before. You can thank your Uncle Pete for your luck. Poor Pete!" she sighed. "He never

r with loving pats and words. "She's all

ggested, as inspiration gave him an idea, "suppose you all come down town and have dinner with me? You don't want to bother getting a din

from her eyes as she reviewed the contents of her closet. "I ripped the sle

Bill told her. "You look fine-neat as a

essie nodded, she caught Johnny by the shoulder. "But this young man has to wash his hands! Such fists!" She was shocked at the sight of Johnny's hands. "And your own sister a queen on a

when he was alone with Tessie. "This

too excited, and I'm too excited, to get dinner, and we don't like the cafeteria at

tared. Why on earth would she wa

plained Tessie. "I don't know a thing about them, and I

his head as he looked into her pink face and her big blue eyes, which had such dark purp

pink rose of a face turned

e begged, and his

Call her hero-her wonde

same family-the Evergreen," M

her long lashes. Mr. Bill gasped, and if Granny had not come in with the washed B

c bushes turned into a man and slunk away, but not befor

in a hoarse whisper, and when Tessie said she had, that her fingers were holding it tight, Granny's frown changed to a self-

insignia for you, Tessie." He thrust his small chest forward so

Tessie bent her h

s. He was not sure what he hoped, but he knew that he admired Tessie tremendously, and that it was amazingly exciting to be on such friendly terms with a queen. It