The two children, with their heads close together, each holding a corner of the envelope, spelt out the address. It read:
"To Margaret and Frances. Courtesy of Admiral Boxwood."
"Then he _is_ an Admiral," whispered Margaret, peeping over the top of the envelope at the smiling little gentleman. "That's why he wears a cocked hat and is so polite."
"What does it mean by saying, 'Courtesy of Admiral Boxwood'?" asked Frances. "Do you think they made a mistake and meant to say 'Courtesy _to_ Admiral Boxwood'?"
"Perhaps they did," replied Margaret. "Anyhow, it's better to be too polite than not polite enough, so let's courtesy to him."
Standing up side by side and holding out their frocks with both hands, the two little girls made their very best "cheeses" to the Admiral; upon which the Admiral took off his cocked hat with a flourish and bowed, until the squeaking of his joints warned him to straighten up again.
"What is the letter about?" asked Margaret, turning it over and over. "Here's a big 'C. B. R.' on the back, done in red letters with a gold crown over them. What does C. B. R. mean?"
"Coco Bolo Rex," replied the Admiral, adding: "Rex, you know, means King."
"Oh, I see. Thank you. No, I didn't know. But what is the King writing to us for?"
"Perhaps your Royal Highness had better read the letter and see," replied the Admiral--which really did seem like a very sensible suggestion.
"I'm not very good at reading writing yet," said Margaret, as she drew the letter from the envelope, "but--Oh! It's printed in capital letters. That's easier. It looks like a bill of fare. I'll see if I can read it.
'COCO BOLO KING OF THE FLOATING ISLANDS PRESENTS HIS COMPLIMENTS TO MARGARET AND FRANCES AND REQUESTS THE PLEASURE OF THEIR COMPANY AT A GARDEN PARTY TO MEET HIS GRACE, THE ARCHBISHOP OF TIMBUCTOO-AND-A-HALF'"
"Oh, what fun!" cried Frances, clapping her hands and dancing about. "A garden party! How kind of the King to ask us! Let's go, Margaret."
"Yes, it's very kind of the King; and I should like to go, of course," replied her sister; "but how are we to get there?"
"Nothing easier," remarked the Admiral. "His Majesty is not one to do things by halves. He has sent the royal yacht for your accommodation."