King John of Jingalo | Page 7

penny-a-liner
and the cinematograph."
"Oh! my dear, much more than a penny-a-liner," corrected the Queen;
"I heard of one correspondent who makes £5,000 a year. And think
how good for trade! Besides, do not we get the benefit of it?"
"Benefit!" exclaimed the King irritably, "where is the benefit to us of
journalists who describe State functions as though they were jewelers'
touts and dressmakers rolled into one? The vulgarity of people's present
notion of what makes monarchy impressive is appalling. Listen to this,

my dear! This is you and me at the Opening of Parliament yesterday."
He unfolded his paper and read--
"'The regal purple flowed proudly from the King's shoulders; above
their three ribbons of red, green, and gold, the Orders of his ancestors
burned confidingly on the royal breast. The Queen's diamonds were
supreme; upon the silken fabric of her corsage they flashed incredibly;
one watched them, fire-color infinitely varied, infinitely intensified,
like nothing else seen on earth. As she advanced, deeply bowing to
right and left, parabolas of light exhaled from her coronet like falling
stars. When King and Queen were seated, their State robes flowing in
purple waves and ripples of ermine to the very steps of the dais, the
picture was complete. Single gems of the first water glistened like
dewdrops in the Queen's ears, while upon her bosom as she breathed
the three great Turgeneff diamonds caught and defiantly threw back the
light. They became the center of all eyes.'
"I call that disgusting!" said the King. "Why diamonds should burn
confidingly on my breast, and flash incredibly on yours, I'm sure I don't
know. But there we are: a couple of clothes'-pegs for journalists to hang
words on."
The Queen had rather enjoyed the description, it enabled her to see
herself as she appeared to others.
"I don't see the harm," she said; "we have to wear these things, so they
may as well be described."
"I wish some day you wouldn't wear them!" said the King. "Then,
instead of talking of your trinkets and your clothes, they would begin to
pay attention to what royalty really stands for."
The Queen was gathering up her letters from the table: she smiled
indulgently upon her spouse.
"Jack," said she, "you are jealous!"
"I wish, Alicia," said the King testily, "that you would not call me 'Jack';

at least, not after--not where any of the servants may come in and
overhear us. It would not sound seemly."
"My dear John," said the Queen, "don't be so absurd. You know
perfectly well that it's just that which makes us most popular. People
are always telling little anecdotes of that kind about us; and then, think
of all the photographs! If people were to talk of you as 'King Jack,' it
would mean you were the most popular person in the country."
"I wonder if they do?" murmured the King. "I wonder!" He felt remote
from his people, for he did not know.
The Queen noticed his depression; something was troubling him, and
being a lady of infinite tact, she abruptly turned the conversation.
"What are you doing to-day, dear?" she inquired brightly.
"I have a Council at eleven," moaned the King, "and I really must get
through a few of these papers first. It gives me a great advantage when
Brasshay begins talking--a great advantage if I know what the papers
have been saying about him. To-day it's the Finance Act. By the way,
Charlotte was asking me yesterday to raise her allowance. Is there any
reason for it?"
"A little more for dress would now be advisable," said the Queen. "She
has lately begun to open Church bazaars: I thought they would do for
her to begin upon. And the other day she laid the foundation-stone of a
dogs' orphanage--very nicely, I'm told."
"Of course," said the King, "she's old enough, and it is quite time I
asked for a definite grant from Parliament. But if one did that now they
would probably not raise it afterwards. Very much better to wait, I
think, till we have made a really brilliant match for her; then, for the
sake of its financial prestige, the nation will do the thing handsomely."
"She has got an idea she doesn't like foreigners," said the Queen
reflectively.
"She will have to like some foreigner!" said the King. "As the only

daughter of a reigning monarch she must marry royalty, and we haven't
any one left among ourselves who is eligible. Charlotte must get to like
foreigners. Max has no objection to foreigners, I hope?"
The Queen gave her husband a curious look.
"From what I hear," she murmured, "I should say none: but it is not for
me to make any inquiries."
"Dear me! is that so?" said the King. "Well, well!