Aunt Em tried to "slick" her hair, and she hid the dish-towel and dish under her apron while she bowed lovely Ozma Uncle Henry took off his straw hat and held it awkwardly hands

But the Ruler of Oz rose and came from her throne to greet her newly arrived guests, and she smiled as sweetly upon them as king and queen

" very welcome here, where brought you for Princess Dorothy's sake," she said, graciously, "and be quite happy in your new home " Then she turned to her courtiers, who were silently and gravely regarding the scene, and added: "I present to my people our Princess Dorothy's beloved Uncle Henry and Aunt Em, hereafter be subjects kingdom please me show them every kindness and honor in your power, and to join me in making them happy and contented "

Hearing this, all those assembled bowed low and respectfully old farmer wife, who bobbed their own heads in return

"And now," said Ozma , "Dorothy will show you the rooms prepared like them, and shall expect you to join me at luncheon "

So Dorothy led her relatives away, and they were Throne Room and alone corridor, Aunt Em squeezed Dorothy's hand and said:

"Child, child ! How did we ever get here so quick ? it all real ? we to stay here, as she says ? And what does it all mean, anyhow ? "

Dorothy laughed

"Why didn't you tell us what you were goin' ? " inquired Uncle Henry, reproachfully "If I'd known , I'd 'a put on my Sunday clothes "

"I'll 'splain ever'thing we get to your rooms," promised Dorothy "You're in great luck, Uncle Henry and Aunt Em; an' so am I ! And oh ! I'm so happy got you here, at last ! "

As he walked little girl's side, Uncle Henry stroked his whiskers thoughtfully "'Pears , Dorothy, we won't make bang-up fairies," he remarked

"An' my back hair looks like fright ! " wailed Aunt Em

"Never mind," returned the little girl, reassuringly "You won't have anything now but to look pretty, Aunt Em; an' Uncle Henry won't have to work till his back aches, that's certain "

"Sure ? " they asked, wonderingly, and same breath

"Course I'm sure," said Dorothy "You're Fairyland of Oz, now; an' what's more, you belong ! "

6 How Guph Visited the Whimsies

The new General Nome King's army knew perfectly well that to fail plans meant death for him Yet not at all anxious or worried He hated who was good and longed all who were happy unhappy Therefore he had accepted this dangerous position as General quite willingly, feeling sure evil mind that lot of mischief and finally conquer the Land of Oz

Yet Guph determined careful, and to lay his plans well, so as not to fail He argued that only careless people fail in what they attempt

The mountains underneath which the Nome King's extensive caverns were located lay grouped just north Land of Ev, which lay directly across the deadly desert east Land of Oz mountains were also edge desert the Nome King found that he had only to tunnel underneath the desert to reach Ozma's dominions wish his armies to appear above ground Country Winkies, the part Land of Oz nearest to King Roquat's own country, as then the people would give the alarm and enable Ozma to fortify the Emerald City and assemble an army all the Oz people by surprise; so he decided to run the tunnel clear through Emerald City, where he hosts could break ground without warning and conquer the people had time to defend themselves

Roquat the Red began work at once upon his tunnel, setting thousand miners task and building it high and broad enough armies to march through it with ease The Nomes were used to making tunnels, as all the kingdom they lived was under ground; so they made rapid progress

While this work was going on General Guph started out alone to visit the Chief Whimsies

These Whimsies were curious people who lived in retired country own They had large, strong bodies, but heads so small were no bigger than door-knobs , such tiny heads contain any great amount of brains, Whimsies were so ashamed personal appearance and lack of commonsense wore big heads made of pasteboard, which they fastened over their own little heads pasteboard heads they sewed sheep's wool for hair, wool was colored many tints--pink, green and lavender being the favorite colors The faces false heads were painted in many ridiculous ways, according whims owners, and these big, burly creatures looked so whimsical and absurd in their queer masks were called "Whimsies " They foolishly imagined that no one would suspect the little heads that were inside the imitation ones, not knowing folly to appear otherwise than as nature us

The Chief Whimsies had as little wisdom others, and chosen chief merely because none among them was any wiser or more capable of ruling The Whimsies were evil spirits and killed They were hated and feared by and were known as terrible fighters because they were so strong and muscular and sense enough were defeated

General Guph thought the Whimsies great help Nomes conquest of Oz, for under his leadership be induced to fight as long so stand up So he traveled country and asked the Chief, who lived in house that had picture grotesque false head painted over the doorway

The Chief's false head had blue hair, turned-up nose, and mouth that stretched half across the face Big green eyes painted upon it, but center chin were two small holes made pasteboard, so Chief through them own tiny eyes; for big head was fastened upon his shoulders the eyes own natural head were on level false chin

Said General Guph Chief Whimsies:

"We Nomes are going to conquer the Land of Oz and capture our King's Magic Belt, which the Oz people stole Then going to plunder and destroy the whole country And the Whimsies to "

"Will there be any fighting ? " asked the Chief

"Plenty," replied Guph

have pleased the Chief, for he got up and danced around the room three times Then he seated himself again, adjusted his false head, and said:

" no quarrel with Ozma of Oz "

"But you Whimsies love to fight, and splendid chance ," urged Guph

"Wait till I sing song," said the Chief Then he lay back chair and sang foolish song that seem General to mean anything, although he listened carefully When he had finished, the Chief Whimsie looked at him holes chin and asked:

"What reward ? "

The General was prepared question, for he thinking the matter over journey People often do good deed without hope of reward, but for an evil deed they always demand payment

"When we get our Magic Belt," reply, "our King, Roquat the Red, will use its power every Whimsie natural head as big and fine false head he now wears Then no longer be ashamed because your big strong bodies have such teenty-weenty heads "

"Oh ! ? " asked the Chief, eagerly

"We surely will," promised the General

"I'll talk to my people," said the Chief

So meeting of all the Whimsies and told them offer made Nomes The creatures were delighted bargain, and at once agreed to fight Nome King and help him to conquer Oz

One Whimsie alone seemed glimmer of sense, for he asked:

"Suppose we fail to capture the Magic Belt ? happen then, and what good will all our fighting do ? "

But they threw him river for asking foolish questions, and laughed water ruined his pasteboard head before swim out again

So the compact and General Guph was delighted success in gaining such powerful allies

But there were other people, too, just as important Whimsies, whom the clever old Nome had determined to win side

7 How Aunt Em Conquered the Lion

"These are your rooms," said Dorothy, opening door

Aunt Em drew back sight splendid furniture and draperies

"Ain't there any place to wipe my feet ? " she asked

" soon change your slippers for new shoes," replied Dorothy "Don't be afraid, Aunt Em where to live, so walk right in and make yourself at home "

Aunt Em advanced hesitatingly

"It beats the Topeka Hotel ! " she cried admiringly "But this place is too grand , child Can't some back room attic, that's more class ? "

"No," said Dorothy "You've got to live here, 'cause Ozma says so And all the rooms palace are just as fine , and some are better It won't do any good to fuss, Aunt Em You've got swell and high-toned Land of Oz, whether to or not; so make up your mind "

"It's hard luck," replied her aunt, looking around with an awed expression; "but folks can get used to anything, try Eh, Henry ? "

"Why, ," said Uncle Henry, slowly, "I b'lieve in takin' what's pervided us, an' askin' no questions I've traveled some, Em, in , and you hain't; an' that makes difference atween us "

Then Dorothy showed them rooms The first was handsome sitting-room, with windows opening rose gardens Then came separate bedrooms for Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, with fine bathroom Aunt Em had pretty dressing room, besides, and Dorothy opened the closets and showed several exquisite costumes that provided for her aunt royal dressmakers, who had worked all night them ready Everything that Aunt Em could possibly need was drawers and closets, and her dressing-table was covered with engraved gold toilet articles

Uncle Henry had nine suits of clothes, cut popular Munchkin fashion, with knee-breeches, silk stockings, and low shoes with jeweled buckles The hats to match these costumes had pointed tops and wide brims with small gold bells around the edges His shirts were of fine linen with frilled bosoms, vests were richly embroidered with colored silks