Gwen held back.
"Have you no wish?" Iris asked kindly, and Gwen hesitated, then she
said;
"_Yes_. I want to be admired _all_ the time and _everywhere_."
Iris looked searchingly at the pretty, but pert face. Then she said;
"Be kind, be good, be sweet, be true, and all the world shall smile
on you."
"Oh, I don't mean _that_ way!" said Gwen in disgust.
"If you do as I tell you, you will be beautiful," said Iris.
"Why, I'm beautiful _now_! My mamma says so!" cried Gwen. The children
stared in amazement at the child who could make such a silly speech.
For a second no one spoke. To relieve the situation, Captain Atherton
spoke.
"I think Queen Iris has granted your wishes most wisely. Now, let me
present to you the little Goddess of Plenty."
He drew aside a brocade hanging and disclosed a huge half blown rose.
Its large petals commenced to open, and from its center sprang Rose
Atherton, a "horn of plenty" in her hands, filled with bonbons. Laughing
gaily, she lifted her hands filled with bonbons and tossed them into
the center of the room.
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