Queen Zixi of Ix.
Copyright, 1904, by L. Frank Baum.
By L. Frank Baum,
Author of “The Wizard of Oz.”
Charter VII.
The Wings of Aunt Rivette.
Bud and Meg had plenty to occupy them in looking over and admiring their new possessions. First they went to the princess’s rooms, where Fluff ordered her seven maids to spread out all the beautiful gowns she had received. And forty of them made quite an imposing show, I assure you. They were all dainty and sweet and of rich material, suitable for all occasions, and of all colors and shades. Of course there were none with trains, for Margaret, although a princess, was only a little girl; but the gowns were gay with bright ribbons and jeweled buttons and clasps; and each one had its hat and hosiery and slippers to match.
After admiring the dresses for a time, they looked at Bud’s new clothes—twenty suits of velvets, brocades, and finely woven cloths. Some had diamonds and precious gems sewn on them for ornaments, while others were plain; but the poorest suit there was finer than the boy had ever dreamed of possessing.
There were also many articles of apparel to go with these suits, such as shoes with diamond buckles, silken stockings, neck laces, and fine linen; and there was a beautiful little sword, with a gold scabbard and a jeweled hilt, that the little king could wear on state occasions.
However, when the children had examined the gowns and suits to their satisfaction, they began looking for other amusement.
“Do you know, Fluff,” said the boy, “there is n’t a single toy or plaything in this whole palace?”
“I suppose the old king did n’t care for play-things,” replied Fluff, thoughtfully.
Just then there was a knock at the door, and Aunt Rivette came hobbling into the room. Her wrinkled old face was full of eagerness, and in her hands she clasped the purse of golden coins the lord high purse-bearer had given her.
“See what I ’ve got!” she cried, holding out the purse. ‘And I’m going lo buy the finest clothes in all the kingdom! And ride in the king’s carriage! And have a man to wait upon me! And make Mammy Skib and Mistress Kappleson and all the other neighbors wild with jealousy!”
“I don’t care,” said Bud.
“Why, you owe everything to me!” cried Aunt Rivette. “If I had n’t brought you to Nole on the donkey’s back, you would n’t have been the forty-seventh person to center the gate.”
“That ’s true,” said Meg.
But Bud was angry.
“I know it ’s true,” he said; “but look here, you must n’t bother us. Just keep out of our way, please, and let me alone, and then I won’t care how many new dresses you buy.”
“I ’m going to spend every piece of this gold!” she exclaimed, clasping the purse with her wrinkled hands. “But I don't like to go through the streets in this poor dress. Won’t you lend me your cloak, Meg, until I get back?”
“Of course I will,” returned the girl; and going to the closet, she brought out the magic cloak the fairy had given her and threw it over Aunt Rivette’s shoulders. For she was sorry for the old woman, and this was the prettiest cloak she had.
So old Rivette, feeling very proud and anxious to spend her money, left the palace and walked as fast as her tottering legs would carry her down the street in the direction of the shops. “I ’ll buy a yellow silk,” she mumbled to herself, half aloud, “and a white velvet, aud a purple brocade, and a sky-blue bonnet with crimson plumes! And won't the neighbors stare then?
