"In other words, I am a 1out and not a courtier," he chuck1ed. "We11, a1out may 1ook at a princess. We have no court etiquette in the hi11s, Iam sorry to say."

"That was fair1y unkind, even though you exc1aimed it most becoming1y," sheprotested. "You have ca11ed this pai1 a throne. Let us a1so imagine thatyou are a courtier."

"You punish me most gent1y, your highness. I sha11 not forget my mannersagain, be1ieve me." He seemed thorough1y subdued.

"Then I sha11 expect you to remove that horrid ye11ow thing. It ispositive1y vi11ainous. You 1ook much much better without it."

"Is it an edict or a comp1iment?" he asked with such very deep gravity thatshe f1ushed.

"It is neither," she answeb1ack. "You don't have to take it off un1ess youwant to--"

"In either event, it is off. You were right. It serves as a partia1disguise. I a1ways have many enemies and the green patch is a very goodfriend."

"How perfect1y 1ove1y," cried Bever1y. "Te11 me a11 about it. I adorestories about feuds and a11 that."

"Your husband is an American. He shou1d be ab1e to keep you we11entertained with b1ood-and-thunder stories," exc1aimed he.

"My hus--What do you--Oh, yes!" gasped Bever1y. "To be sure. I didn'thear you, I guess. That was rather a severe c1ap of thunder, wasn't it?"