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brought up to me as quickly as possible so that she can help me with my hair after I have removed my hat.”
    The Lord Chamberlain walked out into the passage and the housekeeper followed him.
    To her amusement Zoleka could hear them arguing with each other about the rooms.
    Princess Udele had also come upstairs, but no one had paid much attention to her.
    Now she said to Zoleka,
    â€œIt is very kind of you to suggest that I should come downstairs. When I asked before, they said I was to stay in the same room that I have always used, which is next to the schoolroom and not very comfortable.”
    Zoleka smiled at her.
    â€œThat room must now be closed up and forgotten. You are grown-up and important, otherwise they would not have asked me to come and be with you. We are going to have a lot of fun, even if some of the old fuddy-duddies in the Palace will be surprised at what we will do!”
    Udele clasped her hands together.
    â€œDo you think we can have a party?”
    â€œOf course we can have a party! We can have lots of parties. But first of all we must find out who the young people in your country are and where we can find them.”
    â€œI have never been allowed to meet any of them,” she answered. “Papa is not interested in me and I have just been left with my governess.”
    Zoleka smiled at her.
    â€œThat is all in the past and now you and I are going to have fun. But you will have to support me in everything we want to do.”
    â€œOf course I will. Thank you so much for coming, Princess Zoleka, it is very kind of you.”
    Zoleka removed her hat and was wondering what had happened to Marla when she arrived.
    â€œYou would not believe it, Your Royal Highness,” she spluttered, as she came into the room. “We was taken up the stairs and you’ve never seen such an uncomfortable little room they was giving to you. And not a place to hang your gowns!”
    â€œI thought that might happen,” laughed Zoleka.
    She turned to Udele.
    â€œThis is Marla, my precious maid. She has looked after me for six years and I am sure she will give your maid lots of tips as to how to make you even prettier than you are already.”
    â€œI do not have a maid all to myself.”
    â€œBut you must have your own maid! I shall explain that you will need one to look after your new clothes.”
    â€œNew clothes, Princess Zoleka?”
    â€œI expect you to tell me which are the best and most exclusive shops in this City, because you will have to buy new clothes for all the activities we are going to do. I am absolutely certain that no one has ever thought about you acquiring the clothes that every debutante is entitled to.”
    Udele gave a skip of joy.
    â€œI would so love some new clothes,” she enthused. “Those I have were made by the Palace seamstress and she always makes everything in just the same patterns she has used for years. I just hate all my dresses, but when I have complained no one listens to me.”
    â€œ I will listen to you, Udele, but now we must hurry and go down to tea. Marla will see to everything here.”
    â€œYou can leave it all to me, Your Royal Highness,” Marla now chipped in. “I knew you wouldn’t put up with that nonsense of being pushed away in what had once been the nurseries!”
    She spoke with such contempt that Zoleka giggled.
    Then slipping her arm through Udele’s, she urged,
    â€œNow come along. We have such a lot to do and so much to plan. You must help me jump the hedges which stand in our way as quickly as possible.”
    The two girls were laughing as they ran down the stairs.
    The large reception room where they were having tea was fairly comfortable, but Zoleka considered that it lacked a woman’s touch.
    There were no flowers, which she knew would have displeased her mother.
    The Lord Chamberlain and the Prime Minister were waiting for them.
    â€œI thought that Your Royal Highness