5. The Duchess of Bathwater

Chapter 5 The Duchess of Bathwater “So, what are you?” asked Clarence. “Uh,” said Marvin. It was after school. He had just walked out of class with Nick and Stuart. “He’s a prince!” said Nick. Marvin wished Nick hadn’t said that. Clarence glared at Marvin. Marvin shrugged. “I’m sorry I pushed you this morning,” said Clarence. “Huh?” said Marvin. “Oh, well, that’s okay. I don’t mind.” Clarence held out his hand. Marvin shook it.

“Hah!” laughed Nick. “You’re afraid Marvin’ll throw you in the dungeon.” “I wouldn’t do that,” Marvin told Clarence. He wished Nick would quit saying things that could make Clarence mad. Clarence looked at Marvin. “Do you want a quarter?” he asked. Marvin shook his head. Stuart elbowed him. “Take it, Marvin,” he whispered. Clarence pulled a quarter out of his pocket. “Here, you can have it.” “No, that’s okay,” said Marvin. “Take it,” said Clarence. Marvin took it. “Thanks,” said Clarence. “You’re welcome,” said Marvin.

Clarence walked away. Nick and Stuart cracked up. Casey Happleton and Judy Jasper came out the door. “Good-bye, Prince Marvin,” said Casey.

“See you tomorrow, Prince,” said Judy. The two girls ran away, giggling. Marvin looked at the quarter. He wished Clarence hadn’t given it to him. “A quarter is nothing to a prince,” said Stuart. “Do you know how much your allowance is going to be?” “A hundred dollars a week?” guessed Nick. “More,” said Stuart. “A thousand?” asked Marvin. Stuart shook his head. Then he said, “Your weight in gold.” Nick whistled. “You should eat more,” said Stuart. “The more you weigh, the bigger your allowance.” “You could have three ice cream sundaes a day,” said Nick. “Four,” said Stuart. “Five,” said Nick. “Six!” said Marvin. “C’mon,” said Stuart. “Let’s go to your house and call up your father.” “Why?” asked Marvin. His father worked at an office

in Washington, D.C. “The King of Shampoon,” said Stuart. “Oh, my father!” said Marvin. “Duh,” said Nick. They went to Marvin’s house. He tapped the red post as he walked through the gate. They went straight to the phone in the kitchen. Stuart gave Marvin the number to call. Marvin looked at the phone. “Don’t you want to call him?” asked Stuart. “Sure, I do,” said Marvin. He wasn’t sure. “Well, do it,” said Nick. “I will,” Marvin said. “Don’t rush me.” He picked up the phone. “What are you going to say?” asked Nick. Marvin took a deep breath, then dialed the number. “Are you going to call him Dad?” asked Nick. A woman answered the phone. “How may I direct your call, please?” she asked. “I would like to speak to His Royal Highness, the King of Shampoon, please,” said Marvin.

“Oh, that’s good,” said Nick. “I’m sorry, the King isn’t here. May I help you?” said the woman. “It’s me!” exclaimed Marvin. “I’m the King’s son. The one he’s looking for.” “And your name?” “My name?” Marvin smiled at Nick and Stuart. “Prince Robert.” The woman laughed. “That may very well be,” she said. “However, we’ve received lots of calls. Do you go by a different name?” “Oh,” said Marvin. “Marvin Redpost.” “And when can you come in for your test?” “My test?” “Yes, a blood test.” “Oh,” said Marvin. “I was afraid I’d have to know the capital of Shampoon, or stuff like that.” The woman laughed. “No, it’s not that kind of test,” she said. Marvin liked the way the woman laughed. It sounded almost as if she was singing. “How about eleven o’clock tomorrow?” she asked.