\"Therearemanyothercolors，however，andthepurpleonesarescatteredthroughouttherooms，andareofmanydifferentshapesandsizes。Takemywordforit，Steward，theywillneverthinkofchoosingthepurpleornaments。\"
Billina，squattingunderthethrone，hadlistenedcarefullytoallthistalk，andnowchuckledsoftlytoherselfassheheardtheKingdisclosehissecret。
\"Still，youareactingfoolishlybyrunningthechance，\"continuedtheSteward，roughly;\"anditisstillmorefoolishofyoutotransformallthosepeoplefromOzintogreenornaments。\"
\"IdidthatbecausetheycamefromtheEmeraldCity，\"repliedtheKing;\"andIhadnogreenornamentsinmycollectionuntilnow。I
thinktheywilllookquitepretty，mixedwiththeothers。Don’tyou？\"
TheStewardgaveanangrygrunt。
\"Haveyourownway，sinceyouaretheKing，\"hegrowled。\"Butifyoucometogriefthroughyourcarelessness，rememberthatItoldyouso。
IfIworethemagicbeltwhichenablesyoutoworkallyourtransformations，andgivesyousomuchotherpower，IamsureIwouldmakeamuchwiserandbetterKingthanyouare。\"
\"Oh，ceaseyourtiresomechatter！\"commandedtheKing，gettingangryagain。\"BecauseyouaremyChiefStewardyouhaveanideayoucanscoldmeasmuchasyouplease。Buttheverynexttimeyoubecomeimpudent，Iwillsendyoutoworkinthefurnaces，andgetanotherNometofillyourplace。Nowfollowmetomychamber，forIamgoingtobed。AndseethatIamwakenedearlytomorrowmorning。Iwanttoenjoythefunoftransformingtherestofthesepeopleintoornaments。\"
\"WhatcolorwillyoumaketheKansasgirl？\"askedtheSteward。
\"Gray，Ithink，\"saidhisMajesty。
\"AndtheScarecrowandthemachineman？\"
\"Oh，theyshallbeofsolidgold，becausetheyaresouglyinreallife。\"
Thenthevoicesdiedaway，andBillinaknewthattheKingandhisStewardhadlefttheroom。Shefixedupsomeofhertailfeathersthatwerenotstraight，andthentuckedherheadunderherwingagainandwenttosleep。
InthemorningDorothyandtheLionandTigerweregiventheirbreakfastintheirrooms，andafterwardjoinedtheKinginhisthroneroom。TheTigercomplainedbitterlythathewashalfstarved，andbeggedtogointothepalaceandbecomeanornament，sothathewouldnolongersufferthepangsofhunger。
\"Haven’tyouhadyourbreakfast？\"askedtheNomeKing。
\"Oh，Ihadjustabite，\"repliedthebeast。\"Butwhatgoodisabite，toahungrytiger？\"
\"Heateseventeenbowlsofporridge，aplatterfulloffriedsausages，elevenloavesofbreadandtwenty-onemincepies，\"saidtheSteward。
\"Whatmoredoyouwant？\"demandedtheKing。
\"Afatbaby。Iwantafatbaby，\"saidtheHungryTiger。\"Anice，plump，juicy，tender，fatbaby。But，ofcourse，ifIhadone，myconsciencewouldnotallowmetoeatit。SoI’llhavetobeanornamentandforgetmyhunger。\"
\"Impossible！\"exclaimedtheKing。\"I’llhavenoclumsybeastsentermypalace，tooverturnandbreakallmyprettynick-nacks。Whentherestofyourfriendsaretransformedyoucanreturntotheupperworld，andgoaboutyourbusiness。\"
\"Asforthat，wehavenobusiness，whenourfriendsaregone，\"saidtheLion。\"Sowedonotcaremuchwhatbecomesofus。\"
Dorothybeggedtobeallowedtogofirstintothepalace，butTiktokfirmlymaintainedthattheslaveshouldfacedangerbeforethemistress。TheScarecrowagreedwithhiminthat，sotheNomeKingopenedthedoorforthemachineman，whotrampedintothepalacetomeethisfate。ThenhisMajestyreturnedtohisthroneandpuffedhispipesocontentedlythatasmallcloudofsmokeformedabovehishead。
Byeandbyehesaid：
\"I’msorrytherearesofewofyouleft。Verysoon，now，myfunwillbeover，andthenforamusementIshallhavenothingtodobutadmiremynewornaments。\"
\"Itseemstome，\"saidDorothy，\"thatyouarenotsohonestasyoupretendtobe。\"
\"How’sthat？\"askedtheKing。
\"Why，youmadeusthinkitwouldbeeasytoguesswhatornamentsthepeopleofEvwerechangedinto。\"
\"ItISeasy，\"declaredthemonarch，\"ifoneisagoodguesser。Butitappearsthatthemembersofyourpartyareallpoorguessers。\"
\"WhatisTiktokdoingnow？\"askedthegirl，uneasily。
\"Nothing，\"repliedtheKing，withafrown。\"Heisstandingperfectlystill，inthemiddleofaroom。\"
\"Oh，Iexpecthe’srundown，\"saidDorothy。\"Iforgottowindhimupthismorning。Howmanyguesseshashemade？\"
\"Allthatheisallowedexceptone，\"answeredtheKing。\"Supposeyougoinandwindhimup，andthenyoucanstaythereandmakeyourownguesses。\"
\"Allright，\"saidDorothy。
\"Itismyturnnext，\"declaredtheScarecrow。
\"Why，youdon’twanttogoawayandleavemeallalone，doyou？\"askedthegirl。\"Besides，ifIgonowIcanwindupTiktok，sothathecanmakehislastguess。\"
\"Verywell，then，\"saidtheScarecrow，withasigh。\"Runalong，littleDorothy，andmaygoodluckgowithyou！\"
SoDorothy，tryingtobebraveinspiteofherfears，passedthroughthedoorwayintothegorgeousroomsofthepalace。Thestillnessoftheplaceawedher，atfirst，andthechilddrewshortbreaths，andpressedherhandtoherheart，andlookedallaroundwithwonderingeyes。
Yes，itwasabeautifulplace;butenchantmentslurkedineverynookandcorner，andshehadnotyetgrownaccustomedtothewizardriesofthesefairycountries，sodifferentfromthequietandsensiblecommon-placesofherownnativeland。
SlowlyshepassedthroughseveralroomsuntilshecameuponTiktok，standingmotionless。Itreallyseemed，then，thatshehadfoundafriendinthismysteriouspalace，soshehastenedtowindupthemachineman’sactionandspeechandthoughts。
\"Thankyou，Dor-oth-y，\"werehisfirstwords。\"Ihavenowonemoreguesstomake。\"
\"Oh，beverycareful，Tiktok;won’tyou？\"criedthegirl。
\"Yes。ButtheNomeKinghasusinhispower，andhehassetatrapforus。Ifearwearealllost。\"heanswered。
\"Ifearso，too，\"saidDorothy，sadly。
\"IfSmith&Tin-kerhadgiv-enmeaguess-ingclock-workat-tach-ment，\"
continuedTiktok，\"Imighthavede-fiedtheNomeKing。Butmythoughtsareplainandsim-ple，andarenotofmuchuseinthiscase。\"
\"Dothebestyoucan，\"saidDorothy，encouragingly，\"andifyoufailI
willwatchandseewhatshapeyouarechangedinto。\"
SoTiktoktouchedayellowglassvasethathaddaisiespaintedononeside，andhespokeatthesametimetheword\"Ev。\"
Inaflashthemachinemanhaddisappeared，andalthoughthegirllookedquicklyineverydirection，shecouldnottellwhichofthemanyornamentstheroomcontainedhadamomentbeforebeenherfaithfulfriendandservant。
Soallshecoulddowastoacceptthehopelesstasksether，andmakeherguessesandabidebytheresult。
\"Itcan’thurtverymuch，\"shethought，\"forIhaven’theardanyofthemscreamorcryout——noteventhepoorofficers。Dearme！I
wonderifUncleHenryorAuntEmwilleverknowIhavebecomeanorn’mentintheNomeKing’spalace，andmuststandforeverandeverinoneplaceandlookpretty——’ceptwhenI’mmovedtobedusted。Itisn’tthewayIthoughtI’dturnout，atall;butIs’poseitcan’tbehelped。\"
Shewalkedthroughalltheroomsoncemore，andexaminedwithcarealltheobjectstheycontained;butthereweresomany，theybewilderedher，andshedecided，afterall，asOzmahaddone，thatitcouldbeonlyguessworkatthebest，andthatthechancesweremuchagainstherguessingaright。
Timidlyshetouchedanalabasterbowlandsaid：\"Ev。\"
\"That’sonefailure，anyhow，\"shethought。\"ButhowamItoknowwhichthingisenchanted，andwhichisnot？\"
Nextshetouchedtheimageofapurplekittenthatstoodonthecornerofamantel，andasshepronouncedtheword\"Ev\"thekittendisappeared，andapretty，fair-hairedboystoodbesideher。Atthesametimeabellrangsomewhereinthedistance，andasDorothystartedback，partlyinsurpriseandpartlyinjoy，thelittleoneexclaimed：
\"WhereamI？Andwhoareyou？Andwhathashappenedtome？\"
\"Well，Ideclare！\"saidDorothy。\"I’vereallydoneit。\"
\"Donewhat？\"askedtheboy。
\"Savedmyselffrombeinganornament，\"repliedthegirl，withalaugh，\"andsavedyoufrombeingforeverapurplekitten。\"
\"Apurplekitten？\"herepeated。\"ThereISnosuchthing。\"
\"Iknow，\"sheanswered。\"Buttherewas，aminuteago。Don’tyourememberstandingonacornerofthemantel？\"
\"Ofcoursenot。IamaPrinceofEv，andmynameisEvring，\"thelittleoneannounced，proudly。\"Butmyfather，theKing，soldmymotherandallherchildrentothecruelruleroftheNomes，andafterthatIremembernothingatall。\"
\"Apurplekittencan’tbe’spectedtoremember，Evring，\"saidDorothy。
\"Butnowyouareyourselfagain，andI’mgoingtotrytosavesomeofyourbrothersandsisters，andperhapsyourmother，aswell。Socomewithme。\"
Sheseizedthechild’shandandeagerlyhurriedhereandthere，tryingtodecidewhichobjecttochoosenext。Thethirdguesswasanotherfailure，andsowasthefourthandthefifth。
LittleEvringcouldnotimaginewhatshewasdoing，buthetrottedalongbesideherverywillingly，forhelikedthenewcompanionhehadfound。
Dorothy’sfurtherquestprovedunsuccessful;butafterherfirstdisappointmentwasover，thelittlegirlwasfilledwithjoyandthankfulnesstothinkthatafterallshehadbeenabletosaveonememberoftheroyalfamilyofEv，andcouldrestorethelittlePrincetohissorrowingcountry。NowshemightreturntotheterribleNomeKinginsafety，carryingwithhertheprizeshehadwoninthepersonofthefair-hairedboy。
Sosheretracedherstepsuntilshefoundtheentrancetothepalace，andassheapproached，themassivedoorsofrockopenedoftheirownaccord，allowingbothDorothyandEvringtopasstheportalsandenterthethroneroom。
15。BillinaFrightenstheNomeKingNowwhenDorothyhadenteredthepalacetomakeherguessesandtheScarecrowwasleftwiththeNomeKing，thetwosatinmoodysilenceforseveralminutes。Thenthemonarchexclaimed，inatoneofsatisfaction：
\"Verygood！\"
\"Whoisverygood？\"askedtheScarecrow。
\"Themachineman。Hewon’tneedtobewoundupanymore，forhehasnowbecomeaveryneatornament。Veryneat，indeed。\"
\"HowaboutDorothy？\"theScarecrowenquired。
\"Oh，shewillbegintoguess，prettysoon，\"saidtheKing，cheerfully。
\"Andthenshewilljoinmycollection，anditwillbeyourturn。\"
ThegoodScarecrowwasmuchdistressedbythethoughtthathislittlefriendwasabouttosufferthefateofOzmaandtherestoftheirparty;
butwhilehesatingloomyreverieashrillvoicesuddenlycried：
\"Kut，kut，kut——ka-daw-kutt！Kut，kut，kut——ka-daw-kutt！\"
TheNomeKingnearlyjumpedoffhisseat，hewassostartled。
\"Goodgracious！What’sthat？\"heyelled。
\"Why，it’sBillina，\"saidtheScarecrow。
\"Whatdoyoumeanbymakinganoiselikethat？\"shoutedtheKing，angrily，astheyellowhencamefromunderthethroneandstruttedproudlyabouttheroom。
\"I’vegotarighttocackle，Iguess，\"repliedBillina。\"I’vejustlaidmyegg。\"
\"What！Laidanegg！Inmythroneroom！Howdareyoudosuchathing？\"askedtheKing，inavoiceoffury。
\"IlayeggswhereverIhappentobe，\"saidthehen，rufflingherfeathersandthenshakingthemintoplace。
\"But——thunder-ation！Don’tyouknowthateggsarepoison？\"roaredtheKing，whilehisrock-coloredeyesstuckoutingreatterror。
\"Poison！well，Ideclare，\"saidBillina，indignantly。\"I’llhaveyouknowallmyeggsarewarrantedstrictlyfreshanduptodate。
Poison，indeed！\"
\"Youdon’tunderstand，\"retortedthelittlemonarch，nervously。\"Eggsbelongonlytotheoutsideworld——totheworldontheearth’ssurface，whereyoucamefrom。Here，inmyundergroundkingdom，theyarerankpoison，asIsaid，andweNomescan’tbearthemaround。\"
\"Well，you’llhavetobearthisonearound，\"declaredBillina;\"forI’velaidit。\"
\"Where？\"askedtheKing。
\"Underyourthrone，\"saidthehen。
TheKingjumpedthreefeetintotheair，soanxiouswashetogetawayfromthethrone。
\"Takeitaway！Takeitawayatonce！\"heshouted。
\"Ican’t，\"saidBillina。\"Ihaven’tanyhands。\"
\"I’lltaketheegg，\"saidtheScarecrow。\"I’mmakingacollectionofBillina’seggs。There’soneinmypocketnow，thatshelaidyesterday。\"
Hearingthis，themonarchhastenedtoputagooddistancebetweenhimselfandtheScarecrow，whowasabouttoreachunderthethronefortheeggwhenthehensuddenlycried：
\"Stop！\"
\"What’swrong？\"askedtheScarecrow。
\"Don’ttaketheeggunlesstheKingwillallowmetoenterthepalaceandguessastheothershavedone，\"saidBillina。
\"Pshaw！\"returnedtheKing。\"You’reonlyahen。Howcouldyouguessmyenchantments？\"
\"Icantry，Isuppose，\"saidBillina。\"And，ifIfail，youwillhaveanotherornament。\"
\"Aprettyornamentyou’dmake，wouldn’tyou？\"growledtheKing。\"Butyoushallhaveyourway。Itwillproperlypunishyoufordaringtolayanegginmypresence。AftertheScarecrowisenchantedyoushallfollowhimintothepalace。Buthowwillyoutouchtheobjects？\"
\"Withmyclaws，\"saidthehen;\"andIcanspeaktheword’Ev’asplainlyasanyone。AlsoImusthavetherighttoguesstheenchantmentsofmyfriends，andtoreleasethemifIsucceed。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidtheKing。\"Youhavemypromise。\"
\"Then，\"saidBillinatotheScarecrow，\"youmaygettheegg。\"
Hekneltdownandreachedunderneaththethroneandfoundtheegg，whichheplacedinanotherpocketofhisjacket，fearingthatifbotheggswereinonepockettheywouldknocktogetherandgetbroken。
Justthenabellabovethethronerangbriskly，andtheKinggaveanothernervousjump。
\"Well，well！\"saidhe，witharuefulface;\"thegirlhasactuallydoneit。\"
\"Donewhat？\"askedtheScarecrow。
\"Shehasmadeoneguessthatisright，andbrokenoneofmyneatestenchantments。Byricketty，it’stoobad！Ineverthoughtshewoulddoit。\"
\"DoIunderstandthatshewillnowreturntousinsafety？\"enquiredtheScarecrow，joyfullywrinklinghispaintedfaceintoabroadsmile。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidtheKing，fretfullypacingupanddowntheroom。\"I
alwayskeepmypromises，nomatterhowfoolishtheyare。ButIshallmakeanornamentoftheyellowhentoreplacetheoneIhavejustlost。\"
\"Perhapsyouwill，andperhapsyouwon’t，\"murmuredBillina，calmly。
\"Imaysurpriseyoubyguessingright。\"
\"Guessingright？\"snappedtheKing。\"Howcouldyouguessright，whereyourbettershavefailed，youstupidfowl？\"
Billinadidnotcaretoanswerthisquestion，andamomentlaterthedoorsflewopenandDorothyentered，leadingthelittlePrinceEvringbythehand。
TheScarecrowwelcomedthegirlwithacloseembrace，andhewouldhaveembracedEvring，too，inhisdelight。ButthelittlePrincewasshy，andshrankawayfromthepaintedScarecrowbecausehedidnotyetknowhismanyexcellentqualities。
Buttherewaslittletimeforthefriendstotalk，becausetheScarecrowmustnowenterthepalace。Dorothy’ssuccesshadgreatlyencouragedhim，andtheybothhopedhewouldmanagetomakeatleastonecorrectguess。
However，heprovedasunfortunateastheothersexceptDorothy，andalthoughhetookagooddealoftimetoselecthisobjects，notonedidthepoorScarecrowguessaright。
Sohebecameasolidgoldcard-receiver，andthebeautifulbutterriblepalaceawaitedit’snextvisitor。
\"It’sallover，\"remarkedtheKing，withasighofsatisfaction;\"andithasbeenaveryamusingperformance，exceptfortheonegoodguesstheKansasgirlmade。Iamricherbyagreatmanyprettyornaments。
\"Itismyturn，now，\"saidBillina，briskly。
\"Oh，I’dforgottenyou，\"saidtheKing。\"Butyouneedn’tgoifyoudon’twishto。Iwillbegenerous，andletyouoff。\"
\"Noyouwon’t，\"repliedthehen。\"Iinsistuponhavingmyguesses，asyoupromised。\"
\"Thengoahead，youabsurdfeatheredfool！\"grumbledtheKing，andhecausedtheopeningthatledtothepalacetoappearoncemore。
\"Don’tgo，Billina，\"saidDorothy，earnestly。\"Itisn’teasytoguessthoseorn’ments，andonlylucksavedmefrombeingonemyself。Staywithmeandwe’llgobacktotheLandofEvtogether。I’msurethislittlePrincewillgiveusahome。\"
\"IndeedIwill，\"saidEvring，withmuchdignity。
\"Don’tworry，mydear，\"criedBillina，withacluckthatwasmeantforalaugh。\"Imaynotbehuman，butI’mnofool，ifIAMachicken。\"
\"Oh，Billina！\"saidDorothy，\"youhaven’tbeenachickeninalongtime。Notsinceyou——you’vebeen——grownup。\"
\"Perhapsthat’strue，\"answeredBillina，thoughtfully。\"ButifaKansasfarmersoldmetosomeone，whatwouldhecallme？——ahenorachicken！\"
\"YouarenotaKansasfarmer，Billina，\"repliedthegirl，\"andyousaid——\"
\"Nevermindthat，Dorothy。I’mgoing。Iwon’tsaygood-bye，becauseI’mcomingback。Keepupyourcourage，forI’llseeyoualittlelater。\"
ThenBillinagaveseveralloud\"cluck-clucks\"thatseemedtomakethefatlittleKingMOREnervousthanever，andmarchedthroughtheentranceintotheenchantedpalace。
\"IhopeI’veseenthelastofTHATbird，\"declaredthemonarch，seatinghimselfagaininhisthroneandmoppingtheperspirationfromhisforeheadwithhisrock-coloredhandkerchief。\"Hensarebothersomeenoughattheirbest，butwhentheycantalkthey’resimplydreadful。\"
\"Billina’smyfriend，\"saidDorothyquietly。\"Shemaynotalwaysbe’zactlypolite;butsheMEANSwell，I’msure。\"
16。Purple，Green，andGoldTheyellowhen，steppinghighandwithanairofvastimportance，walkedslowlyovertherichvelvetcarpetsofthesplendidpalace，examiningeverythingshemetwithhersharplittleeyes。
Billinahadarighttofeelimportant;forshealonesharedtheNomeKing’ssecretandknewhowtotelltheobjectsthatweretransformationsfromthosethathadneverbeenalive。Shewasverysurethatherguesseswouldbecorrect，butbeforeshebegantomakethemshewascurioustobeholdallthemagnificenceofthisundergroundpalace，whichwasperhapsoneofthemostsplendidandbeautifulplacesinanyfairyland。
Asshewentthroughtheroomsshecountedthepurpleornaments;andalthoughsomeweresmallandhiddeninqueerplaces，Billinaspiedthemall，andfoundtheentiretenscatteredaboutthevariousrooms。
Thegreenornamentsshedidnotbothertocount，forshethoughtshecouldfindthemallwhenthetimecame。
Finally，havingmadeasurveyoftheentirepalaceandenjoyeditssplendor，theyellowhenreturnedtooneoftheroomswhereshehadnoticedalargepurplefootstool。Sheplacedaclawuponthisandsaid\"Ev，\"andatoncethefootstoolvanishedandalovelylady，tallandslenderandmostbeautifullyrobed，stoodbeforeher。
Thelady’seyeswereroundwithastonishmentforamoment，forshecouldnotrememberhertransformation，norimaginewhathadrestoredhertolife。
\"Goodmorning，ma’am，\"saidBillina，inhersharpvoice。\"You’relookingquitewell，consideringyourage。\"
\"Whospeaks？\"demandedtheQueenofEv，drawingherselfupproudly。
\"Why，myname’sBill，byrights，\"answeredthehen，whowasnowpercheduponthebackofachair;\"althoughDorothyhasputscollopsonitandmadeitBillina。Butthenamedoesn’tmatter。I’vesavedyoufromtheNomeKing，andyouareaslavenolonger。\"
\"ThenIthankyouforthegraciousfavor，\"saidtheQueen，withagracefulcourtesy。\"But，mychildren——tellme，Ibegofyou——wherearemychildren？\"andsheclaspedherhandsinanxiousentreaty。
\"Don’tworry，\"advisedBillina，peckingatatinybugthatwascrawlingoverthechairback。\"Justatpresenttheyareoutofmischiefandperfectlysafe，fortheycan’tevenwiggle。\"
\"Whatmeanyou，Okindlystranger？\"askedtheQueen，strivingtorepressheranxiety。
\"They’reenchanted，\"saidBillina，\"justasyouhavebeen——all，thatis，exceptthelittlefellowDorothypickedout。Andthechancesarethattheyhavebeengoodboysandgirlsforsometime，becausetheycouldn’thelpit。\"
\"Oh，mypoordarlings！\"criedtheQueen，withasobofanguish。
\"Notatall，\"returnedthehen。\"Don’tlettheirconditionmakeyouunhappy，ma’am，becauseI’llsoonhavethemcrowding’roundtobotherandworryyouasnaturallyasever。Comewithme，ifyouplease，andI’llshowyouhowprettytheylook。\"
Sheflewdownfromherperchandwalkedintothenextroom，theQueenfollowing。Asshepassedalowtableasmallgreengrasshoppercaughthereye，andinstantlyBillinapounceduponitandsnappeditupinhersharpbill。Forgrasshoppersareafavoritefoodwithhens，andtheyusuallymustbecaughtquickly，beforetheycanhopaway。ItmighteasilyhavebeentheendofOzmaofOz，hadshebeenarealgrasshopperinsteadofanemeraldone。ButBillinafoundthegrasshopperhardandlifeless，andsuspectingitwasnotgoodtoeatshequicklydroppeditinsteadoflettingitslidedownherthroat。
\"Imighthaveknownbetter，\"shemutteredtoherself，\"forwherethereisnograsstherecanbenolivegrasshoppers。ThisisprobablyoneoftheKing’stransformations。\"
Amomentlatersheapproachedoneofthepurpleornaments，andwhiletheQueenwatchedhercuriouslythehenbroketheNomeKing’senchantmentandasweet-facedgirl，whosegoldenhairfellinacloudoverhershoulders，stoodbesidethem。
\"Evanna！\"criedtheQueen，\"myownEvanna！\"andsheclaspedthegirltoherbosomandcoveredherfacewithkisses。
\"That’sallright，\"saidBillina，contentedly。\"AmIagoodguesser，Mr。NomeKing？Well，Iguess！\"
Thenshedisenchantedanothergirl，whomtheQueenaddressedasEvrose，andafterwardsaboynamedEvardo，whowasolderthanhisbrotherEvring。Indeed，theyellowhenkeptthegoodQueenexclaimingandembracingforsometime，untilfivePrincessesandfourPrinces，alllookingverymuchalikeexceptforthedifferenceinsize，stoodinarowbesidetheirhappymother。
ThePrincesseswerenamed，Evanna，Evrose，Evella，EvireneandEvedna，whilethePrinceswereEvrob，Evington，EvardoandEvroland。OftheseEvardowastheeldestandwouldinherithisfather’sthroneandbecrownedKingofEvwhenhereturnedtohisowncountry。Hewasagraveandquietyouth，andwoulddoubtlessrulehispeoplewiselyandwithjustice。
Billina，havingrestoredalloftheroyalfamilyofEvtotheirproperforms，nowbegantoselectthegreenornamentswhichwerethetransformationsofthepeopleofOz。Shehadlittletroubleinfindingthese，andbeforelongallthetwenty-sixofficers，aswellastheprivate，weregatheredaroundtheyellowhen，joyfullycongratulatingherupontheirrelease。Thethirty-sevenpeoplewhowerenowaliveintheroomsofthepalaceknewverywellthattheyowedtheirfreedomtotheclevernessoftheyellowhen，andtheywereearnestinthankingherforsavingthemfromthemagicoftheNomeKing。
\"Now，\"saidBillina，\"ImustfindOzma。Sheissuretobehere，somewhere，andofcoursesheisgreen，beingfromOz。Solookaround，youstupidsoldiers，andhelpmeinmysearch。\"
Forawhile，however，theycoulddiscovernothingmorethatwasgreen。
ButtheQueen，whohadkissedallherninechildrenoncemoreandcouldnowfindtimetotakeaninterestinwhatwasgoingon，saidtothehen：
\"Mayhap，mygentlefriend，itisthegrasshopperwhomyouseek。\"
\"Ofcourseit’sthegrasshopper！\"exclaimedBillina。\"Ideclare，I’mnearlyasstupidasthesebravesoldiers。Waithereforme，andI’llgobackandgetit。\"
Soshewentintotheroomwhereshehadseenthegrasshopper，andpresentlyOzmaofOz，aslovelyanddaintyasever，enteredandapproachedtheQueenofEv，greetingherasonehighbornprincessgreetsanother。
\"Butwherearemyfriends，theScarecrowandtheTinWoodman？\"askedthegirlRuler，whenthesecourtesieshadbeenexchanged。
\"I’llhuntthemup，\"repliedBillina。\"TheScarecrowissolidgold，andsoisTiktok;butIdon’texactlyknowwhattheTinWoodmanis，becausetheNomeKingsaidhehadbeentransformedintosomethingfunny。\"
Ozmaeagerlyassistedtheheninherquest，andsoontheScarecrowandthemachineman，beingornamentsofshininggold，werediscoveredandrestoredtotheiraccustomedforms。But，searchastheymight，innoplacecouldtheyfindafunnyornamentthatmightbethetransformationoftheTinWoodman。
\"Onlyonethingcanbedone，\"saidOzma，atlast，\"andthatistoreturntotheNomeKingandobligehimtotelluswhathasbecomeofourfriend。\"
\"Perhapshewon’t，\"suggestedBillina。
\"Hemust，\"returnedOzma，firmly。\"TheKinghasnottreatedushonestly，forunderthemaskoffairnessandgoodnatureheentrappedusall，andwewouldhavebeenforeverenchantedhadnotourwiseandcleverfriend，theyellowhen，foundawaytosaveus。\"
\"TheKingisavillain，\"declaredtheScarecrow。
\"Hislaughisworsethananotherman’sfrown，\"saidtheprivate，withashudder。
\"Ithoughthewashon-est，butIwasmis-tak-en，\"remarkedTiktok。
\"Mythoughtsareus-u-al-lycor-rect，butitisSmith&Tin-ker’sfaultiftheysome-timesgowrongordonotworkprop-er-ly。\"
\"Smith&Tinkermadeaverygoodjobofyou，\"saidOzma，kindly。\"I
donotthinktheyshouldbeblamedifyouarenotquiteperfect。\"
\"Thankyou，\"repliedTiktok。
\"Then，\"saidBillina，inherbrisklittlevoice，\"letusallgobacktotheNomeKing，andseewhathehastosayforhimself。\"
Sotheystartedfortheentrance，Ozmagoingfirst，withtheQueenandhertrainoflittlePrincesandPrincessesfollowing。ThencameTiktok，andtheScarecrowwithBillinapercheduponhisstraw-stuffedshoulder。Thetwenty-sevenofficersandtheprivatebroughtuptherear。
Astheyreachedthehallthedoorsflewopenbeforethem;butthentheyallstoppedandstaredintothedomedcavernwithfacesofastonishmentanddismay。Fortheroomwasfilledwiththemail-cladwarriorsoftheNomeKing，rankafterrankstandinginorderlyarray。
Theelectriclightsupontheirbrowsgleamedbrightly，theirbattle-axeswerepoisedasiftostrikedowntheirfoes;yettheyremainedmotionlessasstatues，awaitingthewordofcommand。
AndinthecenterofthisterriblearmysatthelittleKinguponhisthroneofrock。Butheneithersmilednorlaughed。Instead，hisfacewasdistortedwithrage，andmostdreadfultobehold。
17。TheScarecrowWinstheFightAfterBillinahadenteredthepalaceDorothyandEvringsatdowntoawaitthesuccessorfailureofhermission，andtheNomeKingoccupiedhisthroneandsmokedhislongpipeforawhileinacheerfulandcontentedmood。
Thenthebellabovethethrone，whichsoundedwheneveranenchantmentwasbroken，begantoring，andtheKinggaveastartofannoyanceandexclaimed，\"Rocketty-ricketts！\"
WhenthebellrangasecondtimetheKingshoutedangrily，\"Smudgeandblazes！\"andatathirdringhescreamedinafury，\"Hippikaloric！\"
whichmustbeadreadfulwordbecausewedon’tknowwhatitmeans。
Afterthatthebellwentonringingtimeaftertime;buttheKingwasnowsoviolentlyenragedthathecouldnotutteraword，buthoppedoutofhisthroneandallaroundtheroominamadfrenzy，sothatheremindedDorothyofajumping-jack。
Thegirlwas，forherpart，filledwithjoyateverypealofthebell，foritannouncedthefactthatBillinahadtransformedonemoreornamentintoalivingperson。DorothywasalsoamazedatBillina’ssuccess，forshecouldnotimaginehowtheyellowhenwasabletoguesscorrectlyfromallthebewilderingnumberofarticlesclusteredintheroomsofthepalace。Butaftershehadcountedten，andthebellcontinuedtoring，sheknewthatnotonlytheroyalfamilyofEv，butOzmaandherfollowersalso，werebeingrestoredtotheirnaturalforms，andshewassodelightedthattheanticsoftheangryKingonlymadeherlaughmerrily。
Perhapsthelittlemonarchcouldnotbemorefuriousthanhewasbefore，butthegirl’slaughternearlydrovehimfrantic，andheroaredatherlikeasavagebeast。Then，ashefoundthatallhisenchantmentswerelikelytobedispelledandhisvictimseveryonesetfree，hesuddenlyrantothelittledoorthatopeneduponthebalconyandgavetheshrillwhistlethatsummonedhiswarriors。
Atoncethearmyfiledoutofthegoldandsilverdoorsingreatnumbers，andmarchedupawindingstairsandintothethroneroom，ledbyasternfeaturedNomewhowastheircaptain。Whentheyhadnearlyfilledthethroneroomtheyformedranksinthebigundergroundcavernbelow，andthenstoodstilluntiltheyweretoldwhattodonext。
Dorothyhadpressedbacktoonesideofthecavernwhenthewarriorsentered，andnowshestoodholdinglittlePrinceEvring’shandwhilethegreatLioncrouchedupononesideandtheenormousTigercrouchedontheotherside。
\"Seizethatgirl！\"shoutedtheKingtohiscaptain，andagroupofwarriorssprangforwardtoobey。ButboththeLionandTigersnarledsofiercelyandbaredtheirstrong，sharpteethsothreateningly，thatthemendrewbackinalarm。
\"Don’tmindthem！\"criedtheNomeKing;\"theycannotleapbeyondtheplaceswheretheynowstand。\"
\"Buttheycanbitethosewhoattempttotouchthegirl，\"saidthecaptain。
\"I’llfixthat，\"answeredtheKing。\"I’llenchantthemagain，sothattheycan’topentheirjaws。\"
Hesteppedoutofthethronetodothis，butjustthentheSawhorseranupbehindhimandgavethefatmonarchapowerfulkickwithbothhiswoodenhindlegs。
\"Ow！Murder！Treason！\"yelledtheKing，whohadbeenhurledagainstseveralofhiswarriorsandwasconsiderablybruised。\"Whodidthat？\"
\"Idid，\"growledtheSawhorse，viciously。\"YouletDorothyalone，orI’llkickyouagain。\"
\"We’llseeaboutthat，\"repliedtheKing，andatoncehewavedhishandtowardtheSawhorseandmutteredamagicalword。\"Aha！\"hecontinued;\"NOWletusseeyoumove，youwoodenmule！\"
ButinspiteofthemagictheSawhorsemoved;andhemovedsoquicklytowardtheKing，thatthefatlittlemancouldnotgetoutofhisway。
Thump——BANG！camethewoodenheels，rightagainsthisroundbody，andtheKingflewintotheairandfellupontheheadofhiscaptain，wholethimdropflatupontheground。
\"Well，well！\"saidtheKing，sittingupandlookingsurprised。\"Whydidn’tmymagicbeltwork，Iwonder？\"
\"Thecreatureismadeofwood，\"repliedthecaptain。\"Yourmagicwillnotworkonwood，youknow。\"
\"Ah，I’dforgottenthat，\"saidtheKing，gettingupandlimpingtohisthrone。\"Verywell，letthegirlalone。Shecan’tescapeus，anyway。\"
Thewarriors，whohadbeenratherconfusedbytheseincidents，nowformedtheirranksagain，andtheSawhorseprancedacrosstheroomtoDorothyandtookapositionbesidetheHungryTiger。
AtthatmomentthedoorsthatledtothepalaceflewopenandthepeopleofEvandthepeopleofOzweredisclosedtoview。Theypaused，astonished，atsightofthewarriorsandtheangryNomeKing，seatedintheirmidst。
\"Surrender！\"criedtheKing，inaloudvoice。\"Youaremyprisoners。\"
\"Go’long！\"answeredBillina，fromtheScarecrow’sshoulder。\"YoupromisedmethatifIguessedcorrectlymyfriendsandImightdepartinsafety。Andyoualwayskeepyourpromises。\"
\"Isaidyoumightleavethepalaceinsafety，\"retortedtheKing;\"andsoyoumay，butyoucannotleavemydominions。Youaremyprisoners，andIwillhurlyouallintomyundergrounddungeons，wherethevolcanicfiresglowandthemoltenlavaflowsineverydirection，andtheairishotterthanblueblazes。\"
\"Thatwillbetheendofme，allright，\"saidtheScarecrow，sorrowfully。\"Onesmallblaze，blueorgreen，isenoughtoreducemetoanash-heap。\"
\"Doyousurrender？\"demandedtheKing。
BillinawhisperedsomethingintheScarecrow’searthatmadehimsmileandputhishandsinhisjacketpockets。
\"No！\"returnedOzma，boldlyansweringtheKing。Thenshesaidtoherarmy：
\"Forward，mybravesoldiers，andfightforyourRulerandyourselves，untodeath！\"
\"Pardonme，MostRoyalOzma，\"repliedoneofhergenerals;\"butIfindthatIandmybrotherofficersallsufferfromheartdisease，andtheslightestexcitementmightkillus。Ifwefightwemaygetexcited。
Woulditnotbewellforustoavoidthisgravedanger？\"
\"Soldiersshouldnothaveheartdisease，\"saidOzma。
\"Privatesoldiersarenot，Ibelieve，afflictedthatway，\"declaredanothergeneral，twirlinghismoustachethoughtfully。\"IfyourRoyalHighnessdesires，wewillorderourprivatetoattackyonderwarriors。\"
\"Doso，\"repliedOzma。
\"For-ward——march！\"criedallthegenerals，withonevoice。
\"For-ward——march！\"yelledthecolonels。\"For-ward——march！\"shoutedthemajors。\"For-ward——march！\"commandedthecaptains。
Andatthattheprivateleveledhisspearanddashedfuriouslyuponthefoe。
ThecaptainoftheNomeswassosurprisedbythissuddenonslaughtthatheforgottocommandhiswarriorstofight，sothatthetenmeninthefirstrow，whostoodinfrontoftheprivate’sspear，felloverlikesomanytoysoldiers。Thespearcouldnotgothroughtheirsteelarmor，however，sothewarriorsscrambledtotheirfeetagain，andbythattimetheprivatehadknockedoveranotherrowofthem。
Thenthecaptainbroughtdownhisbattle-axewithsuchastrongblowthattheprivate’sspearwasshatteredandknockedfromhisgrasp，andhewashelplesstofightanylonger。
TheNomeKinghadlefthisthroneandpressedthroughhiswarriorstothefrontranks，sohecouldseewhatwasgoingon;butashefacedOzmaandherfriendstheScarecrow，asifarousedtoactionbythevaloroftheprivate，drewoneofBillina’seggsfromhisrightjacketpocketandhurleditstraightatthelittlemonarch’shead。
Itstruckhimsquarelyinhislefteye，wheretheeggsmashedandscattered，aseggswill，andcoveredhisfaceandhairandbeardwithitsstickycontents。
\"Help，help！\"screamedtheKing，clawingwithhisfingersattheegg，inastruggletoremoveit。
\"Anegg！anegg！Runforyourlives！\"shoutedthecaptainoftheNomes，inavoiceofhorror。
AndhowtheyDIDrun！Thewarriorsfairlytumbledoveroneanotherintheireffortstoescapethefatalpoisonofthatawfulegg，andthosewhocouldnotrushdownthewindingstairfelloffthebalconyintothegreatcavernbeneath，knockingoverthosewhostoodbelowthem。
EvenwhiletheKingwasstillyellingforhelphisthroneroombecameemptiedofeveryoneofhiswarriors，andbeforethemonarchhadmanagedtocleartheeggawayfromhislefteyetheScarecrowthrewthesecondeggagainsthisrighteye，whereitsmashedandblindedhimentirely。TheKingwasunabletofleebecausehecouldnotseewhichwaytorun;sohestoodstillandhowledandshoutedandscreamedinabjectfear。
Whilethiswasgoingon，BillinaflewovertoDorothy，andperchingherselfupontheLion’sbackthehenwhisperedeagerlytothegirl：
\"Gethisbelt！GettheNomeKing’sjeweledbelt！Itunbucklesintheback。Quick，Dorothy——quick！\"
18。TheFateoftheTinWoodmanDorothyobeyed。SheranatoncebehindtheNomeKing，whowasstilltryingtofreehiseyesfromtheegg，andinatwinklingshehadunbuckledhissplendidjeweledbeltandcarrieditawaywithhertoherplacebesidetheTigerandLion，where，becauseshedidnotknowwhatelsetodowithit，shefasteneditaroundherownslimwaist。
JustthentheChiefStewardrushedinwithaspongeandabowlofwater，andbeganmoppingawaythebrokeneggsfromhismaster’sface。
Inafewminutes，andwhileallthepartystoodlookingon，theKingregainedtheuseofhiseyes，andthefirstthinghedidwastoglarewickedlyupontheScarecrowandexclaim：
\"I’llmakeyousufferforthis，youhay-stuffeddummy！Don’tyouknoweggsarepoisontoNomes？\"
\"Really，\"saidtheScarecrow，\"theyDON’Tseemtoagreewithyou，althoughIwonderwhy。\"
\"Theywerestrictlyfreshandabovesuspicion，\"saidBillina。\"Yououghttobegladtogetthem。\"
\"I’lltransformyouallintoscorpions！\"criedtheKing，angrily，andbeganwavinghisarmsandmutteringmagicwords。
Butnoneofthepeoplebecamescorpions，sotheKingstoppedandlookedattheminsurprise。
\"What’swrong？\"heasked。
\"Why，youarenotwearingyourmagicbelt，\"repliedtheChiefSteward，afterlookingtheKingovercarefully。\"Whereisit？Whathaveyoudonewithit？\"
TheNomeKingclappedhishandtohiswaist，andhisrockcoloredfaceturnedwhiteaschalk。
\"It’sgone，\"hecried，helplessly。\"It’sgone，andIamruined！\"
Dorothynowsteppedforwardandsaid：
\"RoyalOzma，andyou，QueenofEv，Iwelcomeyouandyourpeoplebacktothelandoftheliving。Billinahassavedyoufromyourtroubles，andnowwewillleavethisdrea’fulplace，andreturntoEvassoonasposs’ble。\"
Whilethechildspoketheycouldallseethatsheworethemagicbelt，andagreatcheerwentupfromallherfriends，whichwasledbythevoicesoftheScarecrowandtheprivate。ButtheNomeKingdidnotjointhem。Hecreptbackontohisthronelikeawhippeddog，andlaytherebitterlybemoaninghisdefeat。
\"Butwehavenotyetfoundmyfaithfulfollower，theTinWoodman，\"
saidOzmatoDorothy，\"andwithouthimIdonotwishtogoaway。\"
\"NorI，\"repliedDorothy，quickly。\"Wasn’theinthepalace？\"
\"Hemustbethere，\"saidBillina;\"butIhadnocluetoguidemeinguessingtheTinWoodman，soImusthavemissedhim。\"
\"Wewillgobackintotherooms，\"saidDorothy。\"Thismagicbelt，I
amsure，willhelpustofindourdearoldfriend。\"
Soshere-enteredthepalace，thedoorsofwhichstillstoodopen，andeveryonefollowedherexcepttheNomeKing，theQueenofEvandPrinceEvring。ThemotherhadtakenthelittlePrinceinherlapandwasfondlingandkissinghimlovingly，forhewasheryoungestborn。
ButtheotherswentwithDorothy，andwhenshecametothemiddleofthefirstroomthegirlwavedherhand，asshehadseentheKingdo，andcommandedtheTinWoodman，whateverformhemightthenhave，toresumehispropershape。Noresultfollowedthisattempt，soDorothywentintoanotherroomandrepeatedit，andsothroughalltheroomsofthepalace。YettheTinWoodmandidnotappeartothem，norcouldtheyimaginewhichamongthethousandsofornamentswastheirtransformedfriend。
Sadlytheyreturnedtothethroneroom，wheretheKing，seeingthattheyhadmetwithfailure，jeeredatDorothy，saying：
\"Youdonotknowhowtousemybelt，soitisofnousetoyou。GiveitbacktomeandIwillletyougofree——youandallthepeoplewhocamewithyou。AsfortheroyalfamilyofEv，theyaremyslaves，andshallremainhere。\"
\"Ishallkeepthebelt，\"saidDorothy。
\"Buthowcanyouescape，withoutmyconsent？\"askedtheKing。
\"Easilyenough，\"answeredthegirl。\"Allweneedtodoistowalkoutthewaythatwecamein。\"
\"Oh，that’sall，isit？\"sneeredtheKing。\"Well，whereisthepassagethroughwhichyouenteredthisroom？\"
Theyalllookedaround，butcouldnotdiscovertheplace，forithadlongsincebeenclosed。Dorothy，however，wouldnotbedismayed。Shewavedherhandtowardtheseeminglysolidwallofthecavernandsaid：
\"Icommandthepassagetoopen！\"
Instantlytheorderwasobeyed;theopeningappearedandthepassagelayplainlybeforethem。
TheKingwasamazed，andalltheothersoverjoyed。
\"Why，then，ifthebeltobeysyou，wereweunabletodiscovertheTinWoodman？\"askedOzma。
\"Ican’timagine，\"saidDorothy。
\"Seehere，girl，\"proposedtheKing，eagerly;\"givemethebelt，andI
willtellyouwhatshapetheTinWoodmanwaschangedinto，andthenyoucaneasilyfindhim。\"
Dorothyhesitated，butBillinacriedout：
\"Don’tyoudoit！IftheNomeKinggetsthebeltagainhewillmakeeveryoneofusprisoners，forwewillbeinhispower。Onlybykeepingthebelt，Dorothy，willyoueverbeabletoleavethisplaceinsafety。\"
\"Ithinkthatistrue，\"saidtheScarecrow。\"ButIhaveanotheridea，duetomyexcellentbrains。LetDorothytransformtheKingintoagoose-eggunlessheagreestogointothepalaceandbringouttoustheornamentwhichisourfriendNickChopper，theTinWoodman。\"
\"Agoose-egg！\"echoedthehorrifiedKing。\"Howdreadful！\"
\"Well，agoose-eggyouwillbeunlessyougoandfetchustheornamentwewant，\"declaredBillina，withajoyfulchuckle。
\"YoucanseeforyourselfthatDorothyisabletousethemagicbeltallright，\"addedtheScarecrow。
TheNomeKingthoughtitoverandfinallyconsented，forhedidnotwanttobeagoose-egg。SohewentintothepalacetogettheornamentwhichwasthetransformationoftheTinWoodman，andtheyallawaitedhisreturnwithconsiderableimpatience，fortheywereanxioustoleavethisundergroundcavernandseethesunshineoncemore。ButwhentheNomeKingcamebackhebroughtnothingwithhimexceptapuzzledandanxiousexpressionuponhisface。
\"He’sgone！\"hesaid。\"TheTinWoodmanisnowhereinthepalace。\"
\"Areyousure？\"askedOzma，sternly。
\"I’mverysure，\"answeredtheKing，trembling，\"forIknowjustwhatI
transformedhiminto，andexactlywherehestood。Butheisnotthere，andpleasedon’tchangemeintoagoose-egg，becauseI’vedonethebestIcould。\"
Theywereallsilentforatime，andthenDorothysaid：
\"ThereisnousepunishingtheNomeKinganymore，andI’m’fraidwe’llhavetogoawaywithoutourfriend。\"
\"Ifheisnothere，wecannotrescuehim，\"agreedtheScarecrow，sadly。\"PoorNick！Iwonderwhathasbecomeofhim。\"
\"Andheowedmesixweeksbackpay！\"saidoneofthegenerals，wipingthetearsfromhiseyeswithhisgold-lacedcoatsleeve。
Verysorrowfullytheydeterminedtoreturntotheupperworldwithouttheirformercompanion，andsoOzmagavetheordertobeginthemarchthroughthepassage。
Thearmywentfirst，andthentheroyalfamilyofEv，andafterwardcameDorothy，Ozma，Billina，theScarecrowandTiktok。
TheylefttheNomeKingscowlingatthemfromhisthrone，andhadnothoughtofdangeruntilOzmachancedtolookbackandsawalargenumberofthewarriorsfollowingtheminfullchase，withtheirswordsandspearsandaxesraisedtostrikedownthefugitivesassoonastheydrewnearenough。
EvidentlytheNomeKinghadmadethislastattempttopreventtheirescapinghim;butitdidhimnogood，forwhenDorothysawthedangertheywereinshestoppedandwavedherhandandwhisperedacommandtothemagicbelt。
Instantlytheforemostwarriorsbecameeggs，whichrolleduponthefloorofthecaverninsuchnumbersthatthosebehindcouldnotadvancewithoutsteppinguponthem。But，whentheysawtheeggs，alldesiretoadvancedepartedfromthewarriors，andtheyturnedandfledmadlyintothecavern，andrefusedtogobackagain。
Ourfriendshadnofurthertroubleinreachingtheendofthepassage，andsoonwerestandingintheouterairuponthegloomypathbetweenthetwohighmountains。ButthewaytoEvlayplainlybeforethem，andtheyferventlyhopedthattheyhadseenthelastoftheNomeKingandofhisdreadfulpalace。
ThecavalcadewasledbyOzma，mountedontheCowardlyLion，andtheQueenofEv，whorodeuponthebackoftheTiger。ThechildrenoftheQueenwalkedbehindher，handinhand。DorothyrodetheSawhorse，whiletheScarecrowwalkedandcommandedthearmyintheabsenceoftheTinWoodman。
Presentlythewaybegantolightenandmoreofthesunshinetocomeinbetweenthetwomountains。Andbeforelongtheyheardthe\"thump！
thump！thump！\"ofthegiant’shammerupontheroad。
\"Howmaywepassthemonstrousmanofiron？\"askedtheQueen，anxiousforthesafetyofherchildren。ButDorothysolvedtheproblembyawordtothemagicbelt。
Thegiantpaused，withhishammerheldmotionlessintheair，thusallowingtheentirepartytopassbetweenhiscast-ironlegsinsafety。
19。TheKingofEvIftherewereanyshifting，rock-coloredNomesonthemountainsidenow，theyweresilentandrespectful，forouradventurerswerenotannoyed，asbefore，bytheirimpudentlaughter。ReallytheNomeshadnothingtolaughat，sincethedefeatoftheirKing。
OntheothersidetheyfoundOzma’sgoldenchariot，standingastheyhadleftit。SoontheLionandtheTigerwereharnessedtothebeautifulchariot，inwhichwasenoughroomforOzmaandtheQueenandsixoftheroyalchildren。
LittleEvringpreferredtoridewithDorothyupontheSawhorse，whichhadalongback。ThePrincehadrecoveredfromhisshynessandhadbecomeveryfondofthegirlwhohadrescuedhim，sotheywerefastfriendsandchattedpleasantlytogetherastheyrodealong。Billinawasalsoperchedupontheheadofthewoodensteed，whichseemednottomindtheaddedweightintheleast，andtheboywasfullofwonderthatahencouldtalk，andsaysuchsensiblethings。
Whentheycametothegulf，Ozma’smagiccarpetcarriedthemalloverinsafety;andnowtheybegantopassthetrees，inwhichbirdsweresinging;andthebreezethatwaswaftedtothemfromthefarmsofEvwasspicywithflowersandnew-mownhay;andthesunshinefellfulluponthem，towarmthemanddriveawayfromtheirbodiesthechillanddampnessoftheundergroundkingdomoftheNomes。
\"Iwouldbequitecontent，\"saidtheScarecrowtoTiktok，\"wereonlytheTinWoodmanwithus。Butitbreaksmyhearttoleavehimbehind。\"
\"Hewasafinefel-low，\"repliedTiktok，\"al-thoughhisma-ter-i-alwasnotve-rydu-ra-ble。\"
\"Oh，tinisanexcellentmaterial，\"theScarecrowhastenedtosay;
\"andifanythingeverhappenedtopoorNickChopperhewasalwayseasilysoldered。Besides，hedidnothavetobewoundup，andwasnotliabletogetoutoforder。\"
\"Isome-timeswish，\"saidTiktok，\"thatIwasstuffedwithstraw，asyouare。Itishardtobemadeofcop-per。\"
\"Ihavenoreasontocomplainofmylot，\"repliedtheScarecrow。\"A
littlefreshstraw，nowandthen，makesmeasgoodasnew。ButIcanneverbethepolishedgentlemanthatmypoordepartedfriend，theTinWoodman，was。\"
YoumaybesuretheroyalchildrenofEvandtheirQueenmotherweredelightedatseeingagaintheirbelovedcountry;andwhenthetowersofthepalaceofEvcameintoviewtheycouldnotforbearcheeringatthesight。LittleEvring，ridinginfrontofDorothy，wassooverjoyedthathetookacurioustinwhistlefromhispocketandblewashrillblastthatmadetheSawhorseleapandpranceinsuddenalarm。
\"Whatisthat？\"askedBillina，whohadbeenobligedtoflutterherwingsinordertokeepherseatupontheheadofthefrightenedSawhorse。
\"That’smywhistle，\"saidPrinceEvring，holdingitoutuponhishand。
Itwasintheshapeofalittlefatpig，madeoftinandpaintedgreen。Thewhistlewasinthetailofthepig。
\"Wheredidyougetit？\"askedtheyellowhen，closelyexaminingthetoywithherbrighteyes。
\"Why，IpickeditupintheNomeKing’spalace，whileDorothywasmakingherguesses，andIputitinmypocket，\"answeredthelittlePrince。
Billinalaughed;oratleastshemadethepeculiarcacklethatservedherforalaugh。
\"NowonderIcouldn’tfindtheTinWoodman，\"shesaid;\"andnowonderthemagicbeltdidn’tmakehimappear，ortheKingcouldn’tfindhim，either！\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"questionedDorothy。
\"Why，thePrincehadhiminhispocket，\"criedBillina，cacklingagain。
\"Ididnot！\"protestedlittleEvring。\"Ionlytookthewhistle。\"
\"Well，then，watchme，\"returnedthehen，andreachingoutaclawshetouchedthewhistleandsaid\"Ev。\"
Swish！
\"Goodafternoon，\"saidtheTinWoodman，takingoffhisfunnelcapandbowingtoDorothyandthePrince。\"IthinkImusthavebeenasleepforthefirsttimesinceIwasmadeoftin，forIdonotrememberourleavingtheNomeKing。\"
\"Youhavebeenenchanted，\"answeredthegirl，throwinganarmaroundheroldfriendandhugginghimtightinherjoy。
\"Butit’sallright，now。\"
\"Iwantmywhistle！\"saidthelittlePrince，beginningtocry。
\"Hush！\"cautionedBillina。\"Thewhistleislost，butyoumayhaveanotherwhenyougethome。\"
TheScarecrowhadfairlythrownhimselfuponthebosomofhisoldcomrade，sosurprisedanddelightedwashetoseehimagain，andTiktoksqueezedtheTinWoodman’shandsoearnestlythathedentedsomeofhisfingers。ThentheyhadtomakewayforOzmatowelcomethetinman，andthearmycaughtsightofhimandsetupacheer，andeverybodywasdelightedandhappy。
FortheTinWoodmanwasagreatfavoritewithallwhoknewhim，andhissuddenrecoveryaftertheyhadthoughthewaslosttothemforeverwasindeedapleasantsurprise。
Beforelongthecavalcadearrivedattheroyalpalace，whereagreatcrowdofpeoplehadgatheredtowelcometheirQueenandhertenchildren。Therewasmuchshoutingandcheering，andthepeoplethrewflowersintheirpath，andeveryfaceworeahappysmile。
TheyfoundthePrincessLangwidereinhermirroredchamber，whereshewasadmiringoneofherhandsomestheads——onewithrichchestnuthair，dreamywalnuteyesandashapelyhickorynutnose。ShewasverygladtoberelievedofherdutiestothepeopleofEv，andtheQueengraciouslypermittedhertoretainherroomsandhercabinetofheadsaslongasshelived。
ThentheQueentookhereldestsonoutuponabalconythatoverlookedthecrowdofsubjectsgatheredbelow，andsaidtothem：
\"Hereisyourfutureruler，KingEvardoFifteenth。Heisfifteenyearsofage，hasfifteensilverbucklesonhisjacketandisthefifteenthEvardotorulethelandofEv。\"
Thepeopleshoutedtheirapprovalfifteentimes，andeventheWheelers，someofwhomwerepresent，loudlypromisedtoobeythenewKing。
SotheQueenplacedabigcrownofgold，setwithrubies，uponEvardo’shead，andthrewanerminerobeoverhisshoulders，andproclaimedhimKing;andhebowedgratefullytoallhissubjectsandthenwentawaytoseeifhecouldfindanycakeintheroyalpantry。
OzmaofOzandherpeople，aswellasDorothy，TiktokandBillina，weresplendidlyentertainedbytheQueenmother，whoowedallherhappinesstotheirkindoffices;andthateveningtheyellowhenwaspubliclypresentedwithabeautifulnecklaceofpearlsandsapphires，asatokenofesteemfromthenewKing。
20。TheEmeraldCityDorothydecidedtoacceptOzma’sinvitationtoreturnwithhertotheLandofOz。TherewasnogreaterchanceofhergettinghomefromEvthanfromOz，andthelittlegirlwasanxioustoseeoncemorethecountrywhereshehadencounteredsuchwonderfuladventures。BythistimeUncleHenrywouldhavereachedAustraliainhisship，andhadprobablygivenherupforlost;sohecouldn’tworryanymorethanhedidifshestayedawayfromhimawhilelonger。SoshewouldgotoOz。
Theybadegood-byetothepeopleofEv，andtheKingpromisedOzmathathewouldeverbegratefultoherandrendertheLandofOzanyservicethatmightliewithinhispower。
Andthentheyapproachedtheedgeofthedangerousdesert，andOzmathrewdownthemagiccarpet，whichatonceunrolledfarenoughforallofthemtowalkuponitwithoutbeingcrowded。
Tiktok，claimingtobeDorothy’sfaithfulfollowerbecausehebelongedtoher，hadbeenpermittedtojointheparty，andbeforetheystartedthegirlwounduphismachineryasfaraspossible，andthecoppermansteppedoffasbrisklyasanyoneofthem。
OzmaalsoinvitedBillinatovisittheLandofOz，andtheyellowhenwasgladenoughtogowherenewsightsandscenesawaitedher。
Theybeganthetripacrossthedesertearlyinthemorning，andastheystoppedonlylongenoughforBillinatolayherdailyegg，beforesunsettheyespiedthegreenslopesandwoodedhillsofthebeautifulLandofOz。TheyentereditintheMunchkinterritory，andtheKingoftheMunchkinsmetthemattheborderandwelcomedOzmawithgreatrespect，beingverypleasedbyhersafereturn。ForOzmaofOzruledtheKingoftheMunchkins，theKingoftheWinkies，theKingoftheQuadlingsandtheKingoftheGillikinsjustasthosekingsruledtheirownpeople;andthissupremeruleroftheLandofOzlivedinagreattownofherown，calledtheEmeraldCity，whichwasintheexactcenterofthefourkingdomsoftheLandofOz。
TheMunchkinkingentertainedthemathispalacethatnight，andinthemorningtheysetoutfortheEmeraldCity，travellingoveraroadofyellowbrickthatledstraighttothejewel-studdedgates。
EverywherethepeopleturnedouttogreettheirbelovedOzma，andtohailjoyfullytheScarecrow，theTinWoodmanandtheCowardlyLion，whowerepopularfavorites。Dorothy，too，rememberedsomeofthepeople，whohadbefriendedherontheoccasionofherfirstvisittoOz，andtheywerewellpleasedtoseethelittleKansasgirlagain，andshoweredherwithcomplimentsandgoodwishes。
Atoneplace，wheretheystoppedtorefreshthemselves，Ozmaacceptedabowlofmilkfromthehandsofaprettydairy-maid。Thenshelookedatthegirlmoreclosely，andexclaimed：
\"Why，it’sJinjur——isn’tit！\"
\"Yes，yourHighness，\"wasthereply，asJinjurdroppedalowcurtsy。
AndDorothylookedwonderinglyatthislivelyappearingperson，whohadonceassembledanarmyofwomenanddriventheScarecrowfromthethroneoftheEmeraldCity，andevenfoughtabattlewiththepowerfularmyofGlindatheSorceress。
\"I’vemarriedamanwhoownsninecows，\"saidJinjurtoOzma，\"andnowIamhappyandcontentedandwillingtoleadaquietlifeandmindmyownbusiness。\"
\"Whereisyourhusband？\"askedOzma。
\"Heisinthehouse，nursingablackeye，\"repliedJinjur，calmly。
\"ThefoolishmanwouldinsistuponmilkingtheredcowwhenIwantedhimtomilkthewhiteone;buthewillknowbetternexttime，Iamsure。\"
Thenthepartymovedonagain，andaftercrossingabroadriveronaferryandpassingmanyfinefarmhousesthatweredomeshapedandpaintedaprettygreencolor，theycameinsightofalargebuildingthatwascoveredwithflagsandbunting。
\"Idon’trememberthatbuilding，\"saidDorothy。\"Whatisit？\"
\"ThatistheCollegeofArtandAthleticPerfection，\"repliedOzma。
\"Ihaditbuiltquiterecently，andtheWoggle-Bugisit’spresident。
Itkeepshimbusy，andtheyoungmenwhoattendthecollegearenoworseoffthantheywerebefore。Yousee，inthiscountryareanumberofyouthswhodonotliketowork，andthecollegeisanexcellentplaceforthem。\"
AndnowtheycameinsightoftheEmeraldCity，andthepeopleflockedouttogreettheirlovelyruler。Therewereseveralbandsandmanyofficersandofficialsoftherealm，andacrowdofcitizensintheirholidayattire。
ThusthebeautifulOzmawasescortedbyabrilliantprocessiontoherroyalcity，andsogreatwasthecheeringthatshewasobligedtoconstantlybowtotherightandlefttoacknowledgethegreetingsofhersubjects。
Thateveningtherewasagrandreceptionintheroyalpalace，attendedbythemostimportantpersonsofOz，andJackPumpkinhead，whowasalittleoverripebutstillactive，readanaddresscongratulatingOzmaofOzuponthesuccessofhergenerousmissiontorescuetheroyalfamilyofaneighboringkingdom。
Thenmagnificentgoldmedalssetwithpreciousstoneswerepresentedtoeachofthetwenty-sixofficers;andtheTinWoodmanwasgivenanewaxestuddedwithdiamonds;andtheScarecrowreceivedasilverjarofcomplexionpowder。DorothywaspresentedwithaprettycoronetandmadeaPrincessofOz，andTiktokreceivedtwobraceletssetwitheightrowsofveryclearandsparklingemeralds。
Afterwardtheysatdowntoasplendidfeast，andOzmaputDorothyatherrightandBillinaatherleft，wherethehensatuponagoldenroostandatefromajeweledplatter。ThenwereplacedtheScarecrow，theTinWoodmanandTiktok，withbasketsoflovelyflowersbeforethem，becausetheydidnotrequirefood。Thetwenty-sixofficerswereatthelowerendofthetable，andtheLionandtheTigeralsohadseats，andwereservedongoldenplatters，thatheldahalfabushelatonetime。
ThewealthiestandmostimportantcitizensoftheEmeraldCitywereproudtowaituponthesefamousadventurers，andtheywereassistedbyasprightlylittlemaidnamedJelliaJamb，whomtheScarecrowpincheduponherrosycheeksandseemedtoknowverywell。
DuringthefeastOzmagrewthoughtful，andsuddenlysheasked：
\"Whereistheprivate？\"
\"Oh，heissweepingoutthebarracks，\"repliedoneofthegenerals，whowasbusyeatingalegofaturkey。\"ButIhaveorderedhimadishofbreadandmolassestoeatwhenhisworkisdone。\"
\"Lethimbesentfor，\"saidthegirlruler。
Whiletheywaitedforthiscommandtobeobeyed，sheenquired：
\"Haveweanyotherprivatesinthearmies？\"
\"Oh，yes，\"repliedtheTinWoodman，\"Ibelievetherearethree，altogether。\"
Theprivatenowentered，salutinghisofficersandtheroyalOzmaveryrespectfully。
\"Whatisyourname，myman？\"askedthegirl。
\"OmbyAmby，\"answeredtheprivate。
\"Then，OmbyAmby，\"saidshe，\"IpromoteyoutobeCaptainGeneralofallthearmiesofmykingdom，andespeciallytobeCommanderofmyBodyGuardattheroyalpalace。\"
\"Itisveryexpensivetoholdsomanyoffices，\"saidtheprivate，hesitating。\"Ihavenomoneywithwhichtobuyuniforms。\"
\"Youshallbesuppliedfromtheroyaltreasury，\"saidOzma。
Thentheprivatewasgivenaseatatthetable，wheretheotherofficerswelcomedhimcordially，andthefeastingandmerrimentwereresumed。
SuddenlyJelliaJambexclaimed：
\"Thereisnothingmoretoeat！TheHungryTigerhasconsumedeverything！\"
\"Butthatisnottheworstofit，\"declaredtheTiger，mournfully。
\"Somewhereorsomehow，I’veactuallylostmyappetite！\"
21。Dorothy’sMagicBeltDorothypassedseveralveryhappyweeksintheLandofOzastheguestoftheroyalOzma，whodelightedtopleaseandinterestthelittleKansasgirl。Manynewacquaintanceswereformedandmanyoldonesrenewed，andwherevershewentDorothyfoundherselfamongfriends。
Oneday，however，asshesatinOzma’sprivateroom，shenoticedhanginguponthewallapicturewhichconstantlychangedinappearance，atonetimeshowingameadowandatanothertimeaforest，alakeoravillage。
\"Howcurious！\"sheexclaimed，afterwatchingtheshiftingscenesforafewmoments。
\"Yes，\"saidOzma，\"thatisreallyawonderfulinventioninmagic。IfIwishtoseeanypartoftheworldoranypersonliving，Ineedonlyexpressthewishanditisshowninthepicture。\"
\"MayIuseit？\"askedDorothy，eagerly。
\"Ofcourse，mydear。\"
\"ThenI’dliketoseetheoldKansasfarm，andAuntEm，\"saidthegirl。
Instantlythewellrememberedfarmhouseappearedinthepicture，andAuntEmcouldbeseenquiteplainly。Shewasengagedinwashingdishesbythekitchenwindowandseemedquitewellandcontented。Thehiredmenandtheteamswereintheharvestfieldsbehindthehouse，andthecornandwheatseemedtothechildtobeinprimecondition。
OnthesideporchDorothy’spetdog，Toto，waslyingfastasleepinthesun，andtohersurpriseoldSpeckleswasrunningaroundwithabroodoftwelvenewchickenstrailingafterher。
\"Everythingseemsallrightathome，\"saidDorothy，withasighofrelief。\"NowIwonderwhatUncleHenryisdoing。\"
ThesceneinthepictureatonceshiftedtoAustralia，where，inapleasantroominSydney，UncleHenrywasseatedinaneasychair，solemnlysmokinghisbriarpipe。Helookedsadandlonely，andhishairwasnowquitewhiteandhishandsandfacethinandwasted。
\"Oh！\"criedDorothy，inananxiousvoice，\"I’msureUncleHenryisn’tgettinganybetter，andit’sbecauseheisworriedaboutme。Ozma，dear，Imustgotohimatonce！\"
\"Howcanyou？\"askedOzma。
\"Idon’tknow，\"repliedDorothy;\"butletusgotoGlindatheGood。
I’msureshewillhelpme，andadvisemehowtogettoUncleHenry。\"
OzmareadilyagreedtothisplanandcausedtheSawhorsetobeharnessedtoaprettygreenandpinkphaeton，andthetwogirlsrodeawaytovisitthefamoussorceress。
Glindareceivedthemgraciously，andlistenedtoDorothy’sstorywithattention。
\"Ihavethemagicbelt，youknow，\"saidthelittlegirl。\"IfI
buckleditaroundmywaistandcommandedittotakemetoUncleHenry，wouldn’titdoit？\"
\"Ithinkso，\"repliedGlinda，withasmile。
\"Andthen，\"continuedDorothy，\"ifIeverwantedtocomebackhereagain，thebeltwouldbringme。\"
\"Inthatyouarewrong，\"saidthesorceress。\"Thebelthasmagicalpowersonlywhileitisinsomefairycountry，suchastheLandofOz，ortheLandofEv。Indeed，mylittlefriend，wereyoutowearitandwishyourselfinAustralia，withyouruncle，thewishwoulddoubtlessbefulfilled，becauseitwasmadeinfairyland。Butyouwouldnotfindthemagicbeltaroundyouwhenyouarrivedatyourdestination。\"
\"Whatwouldbecomeofit？\"askedthegirl。
\"Itwouldbelost，aswereyoursilvershoeswhenyouvisitedOzbefore，andnoonewouldeverseeitagain。Itseemstoobadtodestroytheuseofthemagicbeltinthatway，doesn’tit？\"
\"Then，\"saidDorothy，afteramoment’sthought，\"IwillgivethemagicbelttoOzma，forshecanuseitinherowncountry。AndshecanwishmetransportedtoUncleHenrywithoutlosingthebelt。\"
\"Thatisawiseplan，\"repliedGlinda。
SotheyrodebacktotheEmeraldCity，andonthewayitwasarrangedthateverySaturdaymorningOzmawouldlookatDorothyinhermagicpicture，whereverthelittlegirlmightchancetobe。And，ifshesawDorothymakeacertainsignal，thenOzmawouldknowthatthelittleKansasgirlwantedtorevisittheLandofOz，andbymeansoftheNomeKing’smagicbeltwouldwishthatshemightinstantlyreturn。
Thishavingbeenagreedupon，Dorothybadegood-byetoallherfriends。TiktokwantedtogotoAustralia;too，butDorothyknewthatthemachinemanwouldneverdoforaservantinacivilizedcountry，andthechanceswerethathismachinerywouldn’tworkatall。SoshelefthiminOzma’scare。
Billina，onthecontrary，preferredtheLandofOztoanyothercountry，andrefusedtoaccompanyDorothy。
\"ThebugsandantsthatIfindherearethefinestflavoredintheworld，\"declaredtheyellowhen，\"andthereareplentyofthem。SohereIshallendmydays;andImustsay，Dorothy，mydear，thatyouareveryfoolishtogobackintothatstupid，humdrumworldagain。\"
\"UncleHenryneedsme，\"saidDorothy，simply;andeveryoneexceptBillinathoughtitwasrightthatsheshouldgo。
AllDorothy’sfriendsoftheLandofOz——botholdandnew——gatheredinagroupinfrontofthepalacetobidherasorrowfulgood-byeandtowishherlonglifeandhappiness。Aftermuchhandshaking，DorothykissedOzmaoncemore，andthenhandedhertheNomeKing’smagicbelt，saying：
\"Now，dearPrincess，whenIwavemyhandkerchief，pleasewishmewithUncleHenry。I’maw’flysorrytoleaveyou——andtheScarecrow——andtheTinWoodman——andtheCowardlyLion——andTiktok——and——andeverybody——butIdowantmyUncleHenry！Sogood-bye，allofyou。\"
Thenthelittlegirlstoodononeofthebigemeraldswhichdecoratedthecourtyard，andafterlookingonceagainateachofherfriends，wavedherhandkerchief。
\"No，\"saidDorothy，\"Iwasn’tdrownedatall。AndI’vecometonurseyouandtakecareofyou，UncleHenry，andyoumustpromisetogetwellassoonasposs’ble。\"
UncleHenrysmiledandcuddledhislittleniececloseinhislap。
\"I’mbetteralready，mydarling，\"saidhe。
