His Little Royal Highness

In a modest red‑cottage that feels more like a kingdom than a house, young Reginald Fairfax lies on a hospital cot after a tumble from a cherry tree. His sister Nan and brother Harry keep vigil on the porch, their quiet concern turning into a gentle, playful ceremony as they prepare to crown him “little king.” The scene is painted with simple details—a calico‑dressed guard, a knickerbocker‑clad companion, a makeshift crown of oak leaves—creating a world where ordinary objects become symbols of royalty.

As Reginald recovers, the children devise a game in which he presides as monarch and they serve as his loyal body‑guards. Their imagination fills the quiet rooms with whispered plans, earnest questions, and the soft rustle of knitting from a mysterious nurse who watches over the young ruler. The story unfolds with the tender humor of childhood, hinting at the charming adventures that await the little king and his devoted protectors.