Vinnie watched the head roll across the floor.
Luckily, it was only a wooden head from a wooden body.
"Where are we?" he asked loudly.
"Keep your voice down, Vinnie," said Helene.
Helene peeked out to see if the guards were still following them.
Vinnie and Mandy walked around the room.
It was full of wigs.
"Hey, look," said Mandy, as she tried one on.
The white wig was huge, with lots of curls.
"It's very heavy!"
"Look at me!" cried Vinnie, trying one on too.
"Shush, Vinnie," said Helene.
"Why does everyone wear wigs?" asked Mandy.
"It's the fashion.
And King Louis sets the fashion," said Helene.
"He changes his clothes many times a day.
What he likes, everyone wears."
"People change their clothes when the king does?" asked Mandy.
"Of course," said Helene.
"I think it's safe to go now."
The children silently followed her out.
Walking through the palace, the children noticed many servants.
"There are over nine thousand servants," whispered Helene.
"They do many different jobs."
The children slipped out of the palace through a back door.
Then they went down the steps to the gardens.
The horses from the hunt had returned.
The dogs were back too.
Important aides rushed over to the king.
The children were pushed to the side.
One gentleman removed the king's jacket.
Another took his gloves.
King Louis did not look at anyone.
He walked straight into the palace.
His group followed close behind.
"Children!" said a big man wearing a white apron.
"Grab that game.
Bring it to the kitchen!"
He pointed to some dead rabbits.
The animals were tied behind one of the horses.
Helene instantly obeyed, but Mandy stood back.
"Vinnie, I'm going to be sick," she said.
"Just don't look," Vinnie said.
"I have to get away!" Mandy cried.
She ran back into the palace.
"Mandy!" Vinnie shouted after her.
"Boy! Come in here!"
The big man pulled Vinnie into the kitchen.
Mandy didn't know where she was going.
She ran until she was out of breath.
She found a door slightly open.
She peeked in.
Inside, a young lady stood before a large mirror.
Mandy counted seven servants in the room.
Each one held a different piece of clothing.
"What is the king wearing?" the lady asked.
"He is upset," said an older servant.
"He caught only four rabbits.
He will probably be wearing dark blue."
"Then you know what dress to bring," the lady said.
Mandy felt someone poke her.
It was another servant.
"What are you doing here?" the woman whispered sternly.
Mandy quickly moved aside.
The servant knocked and entered the room.
Mandy overheard her saying:
"My lady, the king will be changing to white and green."
"Then bring my green gown," the young lady ordered.
Mandy remembered what Helene said:
everyone does what the king does.