as power, and she put it in his hand, saying very low, "Oh, my dear
King! but he should also rule in it." And she kissed his hand. But
the King lifted her very quickly so that she stood equal with his
heart, and embracing her he said, with tears in his eyes:

"And you, beloved! what will a Queen do in a Barn?"

"The same as a King," she whispered, and drew from her bosom the
opal, as lovely and as variable as the human spirit. "With the other
three stones you may, if you will, buy back your father's kingdom.
But this, which contains all qualities in one, let us keep for ever,
for our children and theirs, that they may know there is nothing a
King and a Queen may not do in a Barn, or a man and a woman
anywhere. But the best thing they can do is to work in it."

Then, going out, she came back with the bag which she had slung on
Pepper's back, and took from it her father's tools.

"In three weeks you learned all I learned in three years," said she.
"When I shod Pepper this morning I did my last job as a smith; for
now I shall have other work to do. But you, whether you choose to
get your father's lands again or no, I pray to work in the trade I
have given you, for I have made you the very king of smiths, and all
men should do the thing they can do best. So take the hammer and
nail up the horseshoes over the door while I get supper; for you
look as hungry as I feel."

"But there's nothing to eat," said the King ruefully.

However, he went outside, and over the door he hung as many shoes as