Oz 05: The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum
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of it miss Polly would make a fine variegated breakfast, I'm sure ."

18 . the emerald city

the others now came up, and_the tin woodman greeted the lion and_the tiger cordially . button- bright yelled with fear when Dorothy first took his hand and led him toward the great beasts; but the girl insisted they were kind and good, and so the boy mustered up courage enough to pat their heads; after they had spoken to him gently and he had looked into their intelligent eyes his fear vanished entirely and he_was so delighted with_the animals that he_wanted to_keep close to_them and stroke their soft fur every_minute .

as for_the shaggy man, he_might_have_been afraid if he had met the beasts alone, or in any_other country, but so_many were the marvels in; the land of Oz that he_was no longer easily surprised, and Dorothy's friendship for_the lion and tiger was enough to assure him they were safe companions .Toto barked at_the cowardly lion in joyous greeting, for he_knew the beast of old and loved him, and it_was funny to_see how gently the lion raised his huge paw to pat Toto's head . the little dog smelled of_the tiger's nose, and_the tiger politely shook paws with_him; so they were quite likely to_become firm friends .

Tik-tok and Billina knew the beasts well, so merely bade them good day and asked after their healths and inquired about_the princess Ozma .

now it_was seen that_the cowardly lion and_the hungry tiger were drawing behind them a splendid golden chariot, to_which they were harnessed by golden cords . the body of_the chariot was decorated on_the outside with designs in clusters of sparkling emeralds, while inside it_was lined with a green and gold satin, and_the cushions of_the seats were of green plush embroidered in gold with a crown, underneath which_was a monogram .

" why, it's Ozma's own royal chariot ! " exclaimed Dorothy .

" yes," said the cowardly lion; "Ozma sent us to meet you here, for she feared you_would_be weary with your long walk and she wished you to enter the city in a style becoming your exalted rank ."

" what ! " cried Polly, looking at Dorothy curiously ." do_you belong to_the nobility ? "

" just in Oz I_do," said the child, "' cause Ozma made me a princess, you_know . but when I'm home in Kansas I'm only a country girl, and_have to help with_the churning and wipe the dishes while aunt Em washes 'em . do you_have to help wash dishes on_the rainbow, Polly ? "

" no, dear," answered polychrome, smiling .

" well, I don't have to work any in Oz, either," said Dorothy ." it's kind of fun to_be a princess once in a while; don't you_think so ? "

" Dorothy and polychrome and button- bright are all to ride in_the chariot," said the lion ." so get in, my dears, and be careful not to mar the gold or put your dusty feet on_the embroidery ."

button- bright was delighted to ride behind such a superb team, and he_told Dorothy it made him feel like an actor in a circus . as_the strides of_the animals brought them nearer to_the emerald city every_one bowed respectfully to_the children, as_well as_to_the tin woodman, Tik-tok, and_the shaggy man, who were following behind .

the yellow Hen had perched upon_the back of_the chariot, where she_could tell Dorothy more about her wonderful chickens as_they rode . and so the grand chariot came finally to_the high wall surrounding the city, and paused before_the magnificent jewel- studded gates .

these were opened by a cheerful- looking little man who wore green spectacles over his eyes . Dorothy introduced him to her friends as_the guardian of_the Gates, and_they noticed a big bunch of keys suspended on_the golden chain that hung around his neck . the chariot passed through_the outer gates into a fine arched chamber built in_the thick wall, and through_the inner gates into_the streets of_the emerald city .

polychrome exclaimed in rapture at_the wondrous beauty that met her eyes on every side as_they rode through_this stately and imposing city, the equal of which_has never been discovered, even in fairyland . button- bright could only say " my ! " so amazing was_the sight; but his eyes were wide open and he tried to look in every direction at_the same time, so as not to miss anything .

the shaggy man was fairly astounded at what he_saw, for_the graceful and handsome buildings were covered with plates of gold and set with emeralds so splendid and valuable that in any_other part of_the world any_one_of_them would_have_been worth a fortune to its owner . the sidewalks were superb marble slabs polished as smooth as glass, and_the curbs that separated the walks from_the broad street were also set thick with clustered emeralds . there were many people on_these walks-- men, women and children-- all dressed in handsome garments of silk or satin or velvet, with beautiful jewels . better even than this: all seemed happy and contented, for their faces were smiling and free from care, and music and laughter might_be heard on every side .

"Don't they work at all ? " asked the shaggy man .

" to_be_sure they work," replied the tin woodman; " this fair city could_not_be built or cared for without labor, nor could the fruit and vegetables and other food be provided for_the inhabitants to eat . but no one works more than half his time, and_the people of Oz enjoy their labors as_much as they_do their play ."

" it's wonderful ! " declared the shaggy man ." I_do hope Ozma will let me live here ."

the chariot, winding through many charming streets, paused before a building so vast and noble and elegant that even button- bright guessed at once that_it_was the royal palace . its gardens and ample grounds were surrounded by a separate wall, not so high or thick as_the wall around the city, but more daintily designed and built all of green marble . the gates flew open as_the chariot appeared before them, and_the cowardly lion and hungry tiger trotted up a jeweled driveway to_the front door of_the palace and stopped short .

" here we_are ! " said Dorothy, gaily, and helped button- bright from_the chariot . polychrome leaped out lightly after them, and_they were greeted by a crowd of gorgeously dressed servants who bowed low as_the visitors mounted the marble steps . at their head was a pretty little maid with dark hair and eyes, dressed all in green embroidered with silver . Dorothy ran up_to her with evident pleasure, and exclaimed:

"O, Jellia Jamb ! I'm so glad_to_see you again . where's Ozma ? "

" in her room, your highness," replied the little maid demurely, for_this was Ozma's favorite attendant ." she wishes you to_come to her as soon as_you_have rested and changed your dress, princess Dorothy . and you and your friends are to dine with her this evening ."

" when is her birthday, Jellia ? " asked the girl .

" day after to- morrow, your highness ."

" and where's the Scarecrow ? "

" he's gone into_the Munchkin country to_get some fresh straw to stuff himself with, in honor of Ozma's celebration," replied the maid ." he returns to_the emerald city to- morrow, he_said ."

by_this_time, Tok-tok, the tin woodman, and_the shaggy man had arrived and_the chariot had gone around to_the back of_the palace, Billina going with_the lion and tiger to_see her chickens after her absence from_them . but Toto stayed close beside Dorothy .

" come in, please," said Jellia Jamb; " it shall be our pleasant duty to escort all of you to_the rooms prepared for your use ."

the shaggy man hesitated . Dorothy had never known him to_be ashamed of_his shaggy looks before, but now that he_was surrounded by so_much magnificence and splendor the shaggy man felt sadly out of place .

Dorothy assured him that all her friends were welcome at Ozma's palace, so he carefully dusted his shaggy shoes with_his shaggy handkerchief and entered the grand hall after_the others .

Tik-tok lived at_the royal palace and_the tin woodman always had the same room whenever he visited Ozma, so these two went at once to remove the dust of_the journey from their shining bodies . Dorothy also had a pretty suite of rooms which she always occupied when in_the emerald city; but several servants walked ahead politely to show the way, although she was quite_sure she_could find the rooms herself . she took button- bright with her, because he_seemed too small to_be left alone in_such a big palace; but Jellia Jamb herself ushered the beautiful daughter of_the rainbow to her apartments, because it_was easy to_see that polychrome was used to splendid palaces and was therefore entitled to especial attention .

19 . the shaggy man's welcome

the shaggy man stood in_the great hall, his shaggy hat in_his hands, wondering what would become of him . he had never been a guest in a fine palace before; perhaps he had never been a guest anywhere . in_the big, cold, outside world people did_not invite shaggy men to_their homes, and this shaggy man of ours had slept more in hay-lofts and stables than in comfortable rooms . when_the others left the great hall he eyed the splendidly dressed servants of_the princess Ozma as_if he expected to_be ordered out; but one_of_them bowed before him as respectfully as_if he had_been a prince, and said:

" permit me, sir, to conduct you to your apartments ."

the shaggy man drew a long breath and took courage .

" very_well," he answered ."I'm ready ."

through_the big hall they went, up the grand staircase carpeted thick with velvet, and so along a wide corridor to a carved doorway . here the servant paused, and opening the door said with polite deference:

" be good enough to enter, sir, and make yourself at home in_the rooms our royal Ozma has ordered prepared for_you . whatever you_see is for_you to use and enjoy, as_if your own . the princess dines at seven, and I_shall_be here in_time to lead you to_the drawing- room, where you_will_be privileged to meet the lovely ruler of Oz . is_there any command, in_the meantime, with_which you_desire to honor me ? "

" no," said the shaggy man; " but I'm much obliged ."

he entered the room and shut the door, and for a time stood in bewilderment, admiring the grandeur before him .

he had_been given one_of_the handsomest apartments in_the most magnificent palace in_the_world, and you_can not wonder that his good fortune astonished and awed him until he grew used to_his surroundings .

the furniture was upholstered in cloth of gold, with_the royal crown embroidered upon it in scarlet . the rug upon_the marble floor was so thick and soft that he_could_not hear the sound of_his own footsteps, and upon_the walls were splendid tapestries woven with scenes from_the land of Oz .Books and ornaments were scattered about in profusion, and_the shaggy man thought he had never seen so_many pretty things in one place before . in one corner played atinkling fountain of perfumed water, and in another was a table bearing a golden tray loaded with freshly gathered fruit, including several of_the red-cheeked apples that_the shaggy man loved .

at_the farther end of_this charming room was an open doorway, and he crossed over to_find himself in a bedroom containing more comforts than_the shaggy man had ever before imagined . the bedstead was of gold and set with many brilliant diamonds, and_the coverlet had designs of pearls and rubies sewed upon it . at one side of_the bedroom was a dainty dressing- room with closets containing a large assortment of fresh clothing; and beyond this_was the bath--a large room having a marble pool big enough to swim in, with white marble steps leading down to_the water . around the edge of_the pool were set rows of fine emeralds as large as door-knobs, while the water of_the bath was clear as crystal .

for a time the shaggy man gazed upon all this luxury with silent amazement . then he decided, being wise in_his way, to_take advantage of_his good fortune . he removed his shaggy boots and_his shaggy clothing, and bathed in_the pool with rare enjoyment . after he had dried himself with_the soft towels he went into_the dressing- room and took fresh linen from_the drawers and put it on, finding that everything fitted him exactly . he examined the contents of_the closets and selected an elegant suit of clothing . strangely enough, everything about_it was shaggy, although so new and beautiful, and he sighed with contentment to realize_that he_could now be finely dressed and still be the shaggy man . his coat was of rose- colored velvet, trimmed with shags and bobtails, with buttons of blood- red rubies and golden shags around the edges . his vest was a shaggy satin of a delicate cream color, and_his knee-breeches of rose velvet trimmed like the coat . shaggy creamy stockings of silk, and shaggy slippers of rose leather with ruby buckles, completed his costume, and when he_was thus attired the shaggy man looked at himself in a long mirror with great admiration . on a table he_found a mother- of- pearl chest decorated with delicate silver vines and flowers of clustered rubies, and on_the cover was a silver plate engraved with_these words:

the shaggy man: his box of ORNAMENTS

the chest was not locked, so he opened it and was almost dazzled by_the brilliance of_the rich jewels it contained . after admiring

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