Oz 21: The Gnome King of Oz by Ruth Plumly Thompson
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one left, you_know, and as I'm only going to play checkers this evening, one will_be plenty . goodbye ." he smiled, patting Peter kindly on_the shoulder ." remember what i_told you about gnomes . he stared sternly down at Ruggedo, and Ruggedo, not daring to meet his eye, scuttled nervously into_the garden .

" maybe I'll see you again," said Peter, and shaking Kuma's remaining hand stepped reluctantly after_the gnome king .

" I_hope so," called Kuma and, with a farewell wave and nod he went in and shut the door .Peter had to run to catch up with Ruggedo . he_was already out_of_the gate and halfway down the road . as he reached the gnome's side, Kuma's arm, holding the umbrella carefully, took its position over their heads .

" why didn't you stay ? " grumbled Peter crossly ." there were lots of things i_wanted to ask that man ." really he_felt quite provoked with_the old gnome .

"Sh-h ! " warned Ruggedo, pointing warningly up at_the arm over their heads ."Shh-hh ! "

" well, you don't suppose he_can hear through his fingers, do_you ? " teased Peter, and then, because everything did seem so comical and ridiculous, he burst into a loud laugh ." i_wish grandfather could_see this," gasped the captain of_the a. P .Baseball team, reaching in_his pocket for_his handkerchief ."Jimminy, wouldn't it be fine to_have an extra arm in a scrap with_the fellows ! "

Ruggedo was too busy with_his own thoughts to_pay any attention to Peter's, so for quite a while they walked along in silence . it_was pouring steadily, but Kuma's umbrella was so large and_his hand held it so carefully, not a drop fell upon_the travelers . it_was too gloomy to_see much of_the country but, from_the tidy farms and orchards they_did glimpse through_the curtain of rain, Peter concluded that_the Winkie country must_be a very prosperous and delightful place to live in . they had to walk briskly to_keep pace with_the umbrella, but after an hour or so the rain stopped . the arm stopped also, and after standing about uncertainly and wondering what to_do, Peter reached up and closed the umbrella . then taking a match, which he noticed in_the rim of_the lantern that swung from Kuma's wrist, he lifted the chimney and lit the wick within . this_was evidently what the arm had_been waiting for and now it moved confidently a few paces ahead, the forefinger of_its hand pointing stiffly in_the direction they were to_follow . it_was quite late by now and_the lantern shed a cheery light over the fast darkening road .

Nibbling at_the supper Kaliko had packed up for_them, Peter and Ruggedo hastened after Kuma's guiding hand .

"I wonder if_it_will fly back when we come to patch," mused Peter as_they turned off the main road and into a small wood .

" let's hold on to_it," whispered the gnome king craftily ." we_can tie it up somehow and then when I get my magic belt, I'll make it work for_me .

" that's a nice way to repay a man for helping us," said Peter angrily ." you ought_to_be ashamed of yourself ."

" well, I'm not," grunted the gnome king, pausing to light his pipe, " and if_you_are going to_be general of_my armies, you'd better get over these nice ideas and notions .Didn't I hear you say a while ago that you'd like to_have an extra arm yourself ? "

" I_said I'd like to_have one, but I never said I'd steal one," answered Peter indignantly .

" take anything you_need," advised Ruggedo, puffing away at his pipe ." that's my motto ." Realizing it_was useless to argue with so bad a little gnome, Peter kept his own counsel and, fixing his eyes on_the bobbing lantern ahead, wondered when they_would reach patch and what it would_be like when_they did reach it . he hoped there would_be no wild animals or bandits upon_the road and peered anxiously from side to side as_they made their way through_the tangled woodland . but without any worse mishap than a tumble over a fallen tree trunk, they came to_the end of_the wood and struck out across a broad field .

"Tomatoes ! " muttered Peter, treading care- fully between_the plants .Leaning down he picked an especially tempting one and sank his teeth deep into_the side ."Ugh ! " choked Peter, shuddering with distaste ." it's cotton ! what kind of a silly country is_this anyway ? "

"A cotton country, I s' pose," grinned Ruggedo, greatly amused at Peter's wry face ." cotton ? why, maybe it's patch itself ! " by_the light of Kuma's lantern, they_could now see some cottages ahead and_the dim outline of a castle .

"Rocks and Rookies ! " exulted the gnome king, waving the cloak over his head ." it won't be long now before I'm ruler of_the realm, boy ! "

" i_thought you just wanted your magic belt," puffed Peter, running anxiously after Ruggedo .

"Oh, grow up ! " called the gnome scornfully over his shoulder ." grow up and don't be so soft . you're a regular Wooshmacushion ! " Shooting ahead like an arrow, Kuma's arm now flew so swiftly that_it_was all they_could do to_keep up with it . by_the_time they had reached the castle they had barely enough breath to mount the steps . as_they_did, the arm, in a business- like manner, set down the lantern and, taking the umbrella in its hand, thumped hard upon_the castle door .

" good ! " panted Ruggedo, sinking down on_the top step ." that ought to rouse them ." when no response came, he jumped up himself and began to kick and pound on_the panels .Peter, naturally more polite, had at once put his finger on_the bell and_they were thus engaged when Piecer and Scrapper, returning from town, turned in at_the gate .

"Customers," murmured Scrapper, rubbing his hands in anticipation .

"Wizards ! " faltered Piecer, pointing with atrembling finger to_the detached arm of Kuma, still beating on_the door with_the umbrella .

" so_much the better ! so_much the better ! Wizards always pay well ." Running up the palace steps, the chief Scrapper of patch tapped Ruggedo respectfully on_the shoulder ." what can we_do for_you ? " asked Scrapper, pulling the castle key from_his pocket .

Ruggedo had_been expecting attention from_the other side of_the door and was so startled that he_made no answer, but the hand of Kuma immediately dropped the umbrella and shook hands with_the Quilty statesman . it then moved quickly on toward Piecer, but Piecer, with a muffled scream, dodged behind a pillar .Snapping its fingers to show that_it did_not care one_way or the other, the hand approached Peter and, after patting him approvingly on_the shoulder, slipped a small note into his pocket . then it shook its finger sternly under Ruggedo's nose, picked up the lantern and umbrella and vanished from view .

even Scrapper was somewhat dashed at_this and, in a slightly choky voice, repeated his question to Ruggedo .Ruggedo was terribly provoked to_have the arm escape but, recovering himself quickly, bowed civilly to_the two Quilties .

" I_have a cloak to_be mended," he announced grandly, " and will pay you handsomely for_the trouble ."

" certainly ! certainly ! " Unlocking the door, Scrapper waved them into_the shabby hallway then, lighting a candle, bade them follow him .

"I'll take you to_the queen," said Scrapper importantly, " and while she_is entertaining you i_will fetch our most skillful needlewoman ."

as for Peter, he_was so excited over the adventure with Kuma's hand, he_could think of nothing else .

chapter 9

queen Scraps Meets Peter

it_is hard to_say who was more astonished, when Scrapper opened the door of_the sitting room and ushered in Peter and Ruggedo . the patchwork girl, who had_been expecting a rescue party headed by_the Scarecrow or some of her other old friends, stared in disbelief and horror at_the king of_the Gnomes .Ruggedo was so surprised to_see Scraps outside of_the emerald city, and so disconcerted to_know that she was_the queen on whom he_must depend for favor, that he nearly ran out_of_the room .Scraps knew all about_the wicked little gnome, and had even been present when he_was banished to Runaway island .Peter thought of all the curious people he had met so_far, and this queen was_the most curious and comical . but as_they all kept their thoughts to themselves, Scrapper noticed nothing amiss .

" kindly entertain this customer until I return," ordered Scrapper and, with a curt nod at_the queen, went out and locked the door behind him . for a second longer Scraps and_the gnome king stared fixedly at one another . then the patchwork girl, snatching off her steel-rimmed spectacles, groaned: "Ruggedo, as I live, oh my land ! how'd he get off of_that island ? "

" that's my affair," answered the gnome king in a surly voice ." how do_you happen to_be queen of patch, i_should like to_know ? "

" that's my affair," sniffed Scraps haughtily ." but I_know you_are up_to some mischief . boy," she demanded, turning severely to Peter, " where did you meet this robber and what_is he planning to_do ? "

Peter shuffled his feet uncomfortably, hardly knowing what to_say . he_was anxious for_the magic cloak to_be mended, for how else was he to reach the emerald city and warn Ozma of her danger . if he_told the whole truth they_might both be thrown into prison, or so thought Peter then .Ruggedo was waiting nervously for_his reply, and as_the little boy mumbled out a few words about being lost and trying to_find his way back home, the gnome king sighed with relief .

" why get so excited ? " wheezed Ruggedo in a conciliatory voice ."I merely want to_have my cloak mended and was told it could_be_done here better than anywhere else . what's wrong about_that ? "

" it's wrong for_you to_be off the island," insisted Scraps ." you_know perfectly well you were banished forever .Oh, for an egg ! for a dozen eggs ! " at_the mention of eggs, Ruggedo turned quite pale under his wrinkled gray skin and, as Peter looked at_the two in perplexity, Scrapper returned bringing an old Quilty grandame with_him . she was angry to_be summoned at so late an hour and, grumbling crossly, snatched the cloak from Ruggedo's hand .Seating herself in a low chair by_the candle, she opened her sewing box and began to stitch so rapidly that her needle fairly flashed through_the air .

" now then," murmured Scrapper, smiling in satisfaction, " as_to_the price ? "

"I command you to arrest this creature, interrupted the patchwork girl, rushing up_to_the chief Scrapper ."Don't you realize_that he is_the former king of_the Gnomes and_that he has tried to capture Oz at_least a dozen times ? "

"A king ? " exclaimed Scrapper, clasping his hands rapturously ." why, how we_are honored ! have a chair, your majesty ! have a cushion ! have-"

"Oh, have some sense ! " screamed Scraps, while Ruggedo sidled closer to_the old woman who was mending his cloak ." if_you let him go he'll try to capture the emerald city . he always does ." he's mean, he's cruel, he's dangerous, he'll ruin Oz and all of us ! "

" nonsense ! " sniffed Scrapper, giving the patchwork girl a push ." he_is our honored customer, and you_may_be the queen here, but remember, I'm the boss . keep quiet or I'll send for_the Scissor bird ."

"Wouldn't this make your ear ache ? " Peter jumped at_the new voice and, peering around in_the direction it had come from, saw a little bear peeking out of a chest . it_was grumpy, of_course, and, as Peter continued to stare at him, he retired into_the chest and closed the lid . but the gnome king, encouraged by Scrapper's treatment of_the patchwork girl, puffed out his cheeks quite cheerfully .

" you_are a man of judgment," he observed in aflattering tone ." be assured that i_will remember this kindness, but what can I_do to repay you for mending the cloak ? " Scrapper looked thoughtful for a moment while the patchwork girl continued to mutter and scold under her breath .

" is_this your slave ? " he inquired at last, turning inquisitively to Peter .Ruggedo seemed a little surprised, but to Peter's disgust and astonishment immediately nodded briskly .

" well, then," said Scrapper, " suppose you give_us the boy in payment for mending the cloak . our queen is_not quick enough to_do all the work here and he looks strong and willing ."

"I'm not his slave ! " burst out Peter wrathfully ."I'll not stay here, you old simpleton ." but the more he shouted the more Ruggedo nodded and smiled at Scrapper .

" never mind," whispered the patchwork girl as Peter, on_his way to_the door bumped into her, " never mind, I'll help_you ." and with_this assurance he_was forced to_be satisfied .Realizing that Ruggedo meant to_keep none of_his promises, Peter tried to_plan a way to_get hold of_the cloak first . but the gnome king, pressing close to_the old Quilty seamstress, waved him jealously away, and Scrapper, jerking him roughly by_the arm, whirled him off into a corner .

and now the cloak was mended .Shaking the threads from its folds the old grandame held it out to Ruggedo . as she did so, Peter rushed forward impetuously, but the gnome was too quick for him .Flinging on_the magic garment, Ruggedo vanished from view, only the blue patch on_the back of_the cloak showing he_was still in_the room .Scrapper and_the others screamed out in alarm, but Peter, throwing up his arm, cried out loudly, " take him to Zamagoochie ! " in a flash the gnome king was gone, at_least the blue patch was gone, and Peter, stamping his foot angrily, turned to_the foolish old Quilty ." now you've done it ! " panted the little boy .

" i_told you not to help him," cried Scraps, coming over to stand beside Peter ." you'll be sorry for_this ."

"Oh, keep quiet ! " mumbled Scrapper, mopping his forehead with_his patched hanky . to_tell the truth, the sudden disappearance of_the gnome king had upset him terribly ."I don't see what you're fussing about," he finished fretfully ." here you_have a nice new slave to work for_you . out of_my way there ! "

Taking the old Quilty woman by_the arm, he brushed rudely past Peter, unlocked the door and went out . as_the key clicked in_the lock, Peter sank down on_the floor, the picture of discouragement .

" why did you say that about Zamagoochie ? "

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