"
"In that case," said Button-Bright, "you're entitled to the best
there is to pay for your trouble. A powerful ruler ought to be rich
and to live in a splendid palace. Your folks ought to treat you with
great respect, as Trot says."
"Oh no," responded Tourmaline quickly. "That would indeed be very
wrong. Too much should never be given to anyone. If, with my great
power, conferred upon me by the people, I also possessed great
wealth, I might be tempted to be cruel and overbearing. In that case
my subjects would justly grow envious of my superior station. If I
lived as luxuriously as my people do and had servants and costly
gowns, the good Pinkies would say that their Queen had more than
they themselves, and it would be true. No, our way is best. The
Ruler, be it king or queen, has absolute power to rule, but no
riches, no high station, no false adulation. The people have the
wealth and honor, for it is their due. The Queen has nothing but the
power to execute the laws, to adjust grievances and to compel
order."
"What pays you, then, for all your bother?" asked Trot.
"I have one great privilege. After my death a pink marble statue of
me will be set up in the Grand Court, with the statues of the other
Kings and Queens who have ruled this land, and all the Pinkies in
ages to come will then honor me as having been a just and upright
queen.
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