"We are very much dissatisfied with you, for you neglect your duties
of hospitality in a most unbecoming manner. We must have you give
your testimony why you have come so late, for the flowers are all
hanging their heads, the nightingales will not sing any more, and
the lambs in the meadow will not touch the sweetest grass. Every
thing is parching and dying because you are not here, and with
desire to see you."

"That is not true," cried another merry voice; the window of the
school house opened with a rattle, and the jolly young schoolmaster
looked out and threatened with his rod the grave mayor.

"How can you say, sir, that every thing is going to ruin? Am I not
here to keep the whole together? Since the unwise people stopped
learning, I have become the schoolmaster of the dear kine, and am
giving them lessons in the art of making life agreeable. I am the
dancing master of the goats, and have opened a ballet school for the
kids."

Marie Antoinette laughed aloud. "Mister schoolmaster," said she, "I
am very desirous to have a taste of your skill, and I desire you to
give a ballet display this afternoon upon the great meadow. So far
as you are concerned, Mr. Mayor," she said, with a laughing nod, "I
desire you to exercise a little forbearance, and to pardon some
things in me for my youth's sake."

"As if my dear sister-in-law now needed any looking after!" cried
the mayor, with an emphatic tone.

"Ah, my Lord de Provence," said the queen, smiling, "you are falling