Oz 21: The Gnome King of Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson
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and on each_other, they clung desperately together, for_the foot- path, rising up on its hundred broad feet, was rushing like the wind through_the gloomy forest .

" are- we- going- to-pieces ? " shouted the prime Piecer, not daring to open his eyes .

Cautiously Scrapper opened one eye and_the first thing that met his gaze was a neat notice tacked on_the rustic railing . it_was only a blur, so fast were they travelling, but opening the other eye he managed to decipher it .

" this foot- path runs straight to_the emerald city . hold tight . no stamping or kicking allowed .

" private property of_the wizard of Oz ."

" well, hurrah ! " exclaimed Scrapper, thump-ing his companion on_the chest ." we're not going to pieces, we're going to_the emerald city ! going ! going ! why, here we_are ! "

and_they were too . right at_the gates of_the loveliest city in Oz . the foot- path, having accomplished its journey in less_than a minute, now tilted its passengers rudely off and, coiling up like a serpent, went to sleep under a lime drop tree . too overcome to_do anything but blink at_the gleaming spires and turrets of_the capital, the two simple Quilties stood stunned and still . but a business- like tug from_the gold thread brought them out of_their trance .

the spool of succession had slid off the path with_them and was now rolling gaily through_the gates of_the city .Holding fast to one another, and scarcely daring to breathe, the fat little ministers of patch went tiptoeing after_the golden spool .######################## chapter 2

the new queen of_the Quilties

the emerald city, which Scrapper and Piecer were now entering, is_the capital of Oz and lies in_the exact center of_that merry and magical kingdom .Oz, as_many of you_know, is a funny and fascinating fairyland, oblong in shape and surrounded, for protection, by a deadly desert of sand . there_are four large countries in Oz; the yellow Winkie land of_the east, the purple Gillikin country of_the north, the blue Munchkin country of_the west and_the red lands of_the Quadlings in_the south . each of_these four countries is divided into many smaller countries of_which patch is_the seven hundred and fifth, but all are subject to one ruler and governed by laws laid down by_the queen of_the realm .

the rulers of Oz always lived in_the capital, not_only because it_is so central and convenient, but because it_is_the most beautiful and enchanting city in_the whole fairy world . its cottages and castle fairly twinkle with emeralds and these precious stones, studding the walls and even the marble walks, give the air a soft glow and shimmer, making gardens greener, fountains more sparkling and everything more glittering and gay .

Ozma, a little girl fairy, is_the present ruler of Oz and_the wisest and gentlest sovereign the fairy country has ever known . with her in_the emerald city live fifty seven thousand, three hundred and eighteen gay Ozites and nearly a hundred celebrities, for Ozma has invited to her court the most interesting characters from her four fairy kingdoms .

the Scarecrow, a lively fellow stuffed with straw, is perhaps the most famous, he has a palace of_his own, but is a frequent visitor at_the capital . then there_is the tin woodman, who rules over the Winkies and_is a splendidly polished gentleman of tin, and sir Hokus of Pokes, a knight seven centuries old, jack Pumpkinhead, a singular person carved from wood with a large pumpkin for a head, Tik Tok, a machine man who winds up like aclock and does everything but live, the famous wizard of Oz and so_many more that twenty histories have already been written about their queer doings .

on_this late afternoon, as_the two bewildered Quilties trod timidly down the streets of_the capital, Ozma was busily conferring with princess Dorothy about curtains . Dorothy is a little Kansas girl, who was blown to Oz in a cyclone and later was_made a princess and invited to live in_the palace . she_is Ozma's favorite adviser and not_only helps her rule over the turbulent tribes of Oz, but is consulted about everything, even such small matters as new ribbons for_the palace pets or, as now, about castle curtains .Choosing curtains is fun and there were so_many colors and fabrics, it took the two girls quite a long_time to decide . they had about settled on green taffeta, edged with gold fringe, when a terrified cry came echoing in from_the garden .

" what_was that ? " cried Dorothy, and dropping a roll of taffeta, she rushed to_the window .Ozma followed quickly and, in some alarm, the two stared down over the flowered slopes and green terraces . but not a soul was in sight and after waiting for another scream, they concluded that_the first was_the shout of some mischievous boy and gaily returned to_their curtains . had they looked five minutes sooner, they_would_have been surprised indeed .Five minutes before Scrapper and Piecer, toiling breathlessly after_the spool of succession, had run straight into_the palace garden .Darting here and there, it had led them to a secluded grape arbor . on a green bench under the arbor sat a most amazing young lady, and as_the two Quilties stared at her in perfect astonishment and admiration the golden spool stopped at her feet .

it was_the patchwork girl, one_of_the very jolliest of Ozma's subjects . she had_been made originally by a wizard's wife out of an old crazy quilt and neatly stuffed with cotton . her eyes were silver suspender buttons, her tongue a piece of red velvet and her hair a bunch of yarn that refused to stay down .Margolotte, the wizard's wife, had intended Scraps for a servant, but when_the wizard mixed up her brains a double portion of fun and cleverness had got in by mistake . when he brought her to life, Scraps refused to work and ran off to_the emerald city where she has lived ever_since, making life lively for everyone and having more fun herself than acageful of monkeys . being constructed from a crazy quilt makes her exceedingly reckless and gay and as more than half her conversation is in verse, Scraps is a most amusing and delightful companion . to_the weary and already homesick Quilties she seemed a vision of perfect loveliness .

" superb ! " gloated Piecer, throwing both arms round Scrapper's neck in_his excitement .

"A beauty ! " exulted Scrapper, returning Piecer's embrace with interest . indeed, so delighted were they at_the appearance of_their future sovereign that_they began to dance up and down and fairly hug one another for joy .a sharp exclamation from_the patchwork girl made them stop .

"Ragmen apply at_the rear ! " cried Scraps, pointing imperiously toward the back of_the castle .

"Ragmen ! " the Quilties exchanged indignant glances . the spool had led them such a chase that their clothes were torn and dusty and_the bag over Piecer's shoulder added aconvincing touch to_the picture . no wonder Scraps thought them ragmen .Piecer was about to explain, but Scrapper, afraid that_this bewitching damsel might escape them, rushed forward impetuously and seized her hand .

"Scat ! " screamed the patchwork girl, snatch-ing it angrily away ." what do_you take me for ? "

" because we_have to," confided the chief Scrapper mysteriously ." we take you for what you_are, a queen . three cheers for_the queen of_the Quilties ! " wheezed Scrapper, signaling slyly to Piecer . and while the patchwork girl fell back, stiff with astonishment, Piecer clapped the bag over her head . then together the two little Quilties shook her down into_the bottom and pulled the string tight . it was_the frightened scream of Scraps, as she disappeared into_the rag bag that Dorothy and Ozma had heard, but by_the_time they reached the window, she was out_of_the garden .Thrusting a sharp stick through_the neck of_the sack, the Ministers of patch hoisted it to_their shoulders and, with_the bag itself swinging violently between_them, started on a run for_the gates . they_would never have succeeded in kidnapping Scraps nor escaping unobserved had it not been for_the foot- path . after a short nap it had grown curious about_the two strangers it had brought to_the city and pattering into_the royal garden began to search for_them . usually the wizard of Oz kept this mischievous piece of property tied up when not in use, but today he had forgotten to_do_so and, enjoying its holiday, the little foot- path was running perfectly wild .Coming upon Piecer and Scrapper as_they dashed headlong over flower beds and borders, it scooped them neatly up and by a short, little known route carried them straight out_of_the emerald city .

for a time the Quilties were too shocked to realize what had happened . then Scrapper, shaken out of_his stupor by a terrible jolt as_the foot- path jumped over a boulder, gasped weakly ." why, it's the same flying path that brought us to_the capital ! "

" yes, but where is_it flying now ? " wailed Piecer, tightening his hold upon_the rag bag . inside Scraps was thrashing around in a frantic effort to escape, her screams and threats somewhat muffled by_the collection of pieces already in_the bag ." can't we steer it ? " panted the prime Piecer wildly, " or stop it or some- thing ? " Scrapper shook his head violently, then catching sight of a green card tacked on_the rustic railing fairly pounced upon it .

" write directions here," advised the card there_was a pencil attached to_the railing by a long cord, so Scrapper seized the pencil and wrote hastily, " take us to_the kingdom of patch ."

the foot- path jiggled so frightfully while he wrote 'tis a wonder it could understand the directions as all, but as he let the pencil drop, it turned sharply in its tracks and started racing in_the opposite direction, tripping and stumbling in its eagerness to_get ahead . by_the_time they reached the Quilty kingdom, the three travel-lers were so shaken up and down they tumbled off the path in a perfect heap of exhaustion . even Scraps, in her imprisoning bag, had nothing at all to_say . not satisfied with shaking them nearly to bits, the foot- path gave Piecer a playful kick with its forty-ninth foot and then, jumping over a green cotton patch, gaily took its departure . now, ever_since morning, the patch-workers had_been anxiously awaiting the return of_their ministers and, as_the two exhausted sovereign seekers rolled through_the gates, a great crowd of Quilties came hurrying to meet them .

" what have_you bagged ? who_is our ruler ? show us the imperial potentate," they cried, clattering their shears and shaking their sewing boxes .Seeing that nothing would satisfy them but an immediate sight of_the queen, Scrapper scrambled wearily to_his feet and began fumbling with_the strings of_the bag .

" will your imperial highness deign to step out ? " suggested Scrapper, sticking his head cautiously into_the bag .

" out ! " shrilled Scraps, and bouncing up like aJill in_the box, gave Scrapper aresounding smack on_the ear ." you villain ragman take me back . how dare you hurl me in asack ? " she cried furiously and, whirling upon Piecer, boxed his ears as soundly as she had boxed Scrapper's . at_this the delight of_the Quilties knew no bounds . they began to cheer and stamp with approval .

" what a fine temper ! what a marvelous beauty ! she's the queen for_us ." and raising their shears they shouted altogether, "Hurrah for_the queen of_the Quilties ! "

" try to act like a queen, can't you ? " puffed Scrapper, seizing the agitated patchwork girl by_the arm .

" you're making a great hit ! " whispered Piecer persuasively ." give_me your_name, maiden, so I_can announce it to your subjects ." by_this_time Scraps had recovered enough to look around and what she saw interested her greatly . the gaudy Quilty kingdom, with its gay cotton patches, the Quilties themselves, in their oddly patched clothes, seemed as beautiful to Scraps as she seemed to_them .

" what do_you_mean ? Am I a queen ? " she demanded, rolling her suspender button eyes from side to side . the prime Ministers of patch nodded and, as_they_did, two Quilties, with a huge patchwork arm chair on wheels, pushed their way through_the crowd .

" quick, now, your_name," begged Piecer . when Scraps, in an excited whisper, imparted the information, he cried in a loud voice: "Hats off to her Patchesty ! three cheers for queen Scraps of patch ! "

the cheers were given with a will and, as Piecer grandly handed the patchwork girl into_the royal rolling chair, the excited Quilties fairly pelted her with patches, tomato pin-cushions and hard spools of cotton . luckily Scraps is a stuffed person, with no feeling at all, otherwise she might_have_been hurt by_these flying missiles . as it_was, she sat back grandly, bowing now to_the left, now to_the right and feeling more important than she had ever felt in her whole cotton career . when_they reached the patched palace, two Quilty boys were waiting on_the steps, one with_the coronet and_the other with_the crown jewels and, amid the further cheers of_the populace, Scraps was crowned queen of_the kingdom and led triumphantly into her castle . the crown was a round sewing basket, the crown jewels a string of old spools, but scarcely noticing the odd character of her royal regalia, Scraps strutted proudly up and down the shabby hall of_the palace, rehearsing grand speeches and queenly gestures . as for Scrapper and Piecer- too weary to bother about supper or bed- they immediately locked all the windows and doors and fell into a heavy slumber on a hall bench .

chapter 3

duties of_the Quilty queen

hungry from their long fast, for they had eaten nothing the day before, and wearied by their long quest, the two Quilty statesmen arose early next morning ." high time to instruct her highness in_the duties of her office," yawned Scrapper, ruffling up his hair .

" I_hope she has breakfast ready," muttered Piecer, groaning a little as he straightened his knees and stretched out his arms ." and I_hope this queen lasts a long_time, Scrapper, for another day like yesterday would_be the end of me . come on, let's see what she's doing ."

not requiring any sleep, Scraps had spent the first half of_the night wondering how she had come

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