Finally she was dressed, and when she went sitting-room Uncle Henry blue satin, walking gravely up and down the room He had trimmed his beard and mustache and looked very dignified and respectable

"Tell me, Dorothy," ; "do all the men here wear duds like these ? "

"Yes," she replied; "all 'cept the Scarecrow Shaggy Man--and the Tin Woodman and Tiktok, made of metal You'll find all the men at Ozma's court dressed just --only perhaps little finer "

"Henry, you look like play-actor," announced Aunt Em, looking at her husband critically

"An' you, Em, look more highfalutin' than peacock," he replied

"I guess you're right," she said regretfully; "but we're helpless victims of high-toned royalty "

Dorothy was much amused

"Come with me," she said, "and I'll show you 'round the palace "

She took them beautiful rooms and introduced them to all the people they chanced to meet Also she showed them her own pretty rooms, which far from their own

"So it's all true," said Aunt Em, wide-eyed with amazement, "and what Dorothy told us fairy country was plain facts instead of dreams ! But where are all the strange creatures you used here ? "

"Yes, where's the Scarecrow ? " inquired Uncle Henry

"Why, he's just now away on visit Tin Woodman, Emp'ror Winkie Country," answered the little girl "You'll see him when he comes back, and you're sure to like him "

"And where's the Wonderful Wizard ? " asked Aunt Em

"You'll see him at Ozma's luncheon, for he lives here palace," reply

"And Jack Pumpkinhead ? "

"Oh, he lives little way out of town, own pumpkin field We'll go there him, and we'll call on Professor Wogglebug, too The Shaggy Man luncheon, I guess, and Tiktok And now I'll take you out Billina, who has house of her own "

So they went back yard, and after walking along winding paths some distance beautiful gardens they came to an attractive little house where the Yellow Hen sat front porch sunning herself

"Good morning, my dear Mistress," called Billina, fluttering down to meet them " expecting you , for I heard you had come back and brought your uncle and aunt "

"We're here for good and all, , Billina," cried Dorothy, joyfully "Uncle Henry and Aunt Em belong to Oz now as ! "

"Then very lucky people," declared Billina; "for there couldn't be nicer place to live But come, my dear; show you all my Dorothys Nine are living grown up very respectable hens; but one took cold at Ozma's birthday party and died pip, other two turned out horrid roosters, so I had their names from Dorothy to Daniel They all had the letter 'D' engraved upon their gold lockets, you remember, with your picture inside, and 'D' stands for Daniel as for Dorothy "

"Did you call both the roosters Daniel ? " asked Uncle Henry

"Yes, indeed I've nine Dorothys and two Daniels; nine Dorothys have eighty-six sons and daughters and over three hundred grandchildren," said Billina, proudly

"What names give 'em all, dear ? " inquired the little girl

"Oh, all Dorothys and Daniels, some being Juniors and some Double-Juniors Dorothy and Daniel are two good names, and no object in hunting for others," declared the Yellow Hen "But just think, Dorothy, what big chicken family we've grown , numbers increase nearly every day ! Ozma doesn't know what with all the eggs we lay, and never eaten or harmed in , as chickens are in your country They everything us contented and happy, and I, my dear, am the acknowledged Queen and Governor of every chicken in Oz, because I'm the eldest and started the whole colony "

"You very proud, ma'am," said Uncle Henry, who was astonished to hear hen talk so sensibly

"Oh, ," she replied "I've the loveliest pearl necklace you ever saw Come house and I'll show it And I've nine leg bracelets and diamond pin for each wing But I only wear them on state occasions "

They followed the Yellow Hen house, which Aunt Em declared was neat as pin sit down, because all Billina's chairs were roosting-poles made of silver; so they had to stand while the hen fussily showed them her treasures

Then they had back rooms occupied by Billina's nine Dorothys and two Daniels, who were all plump yellow chickens and greeted the visitors very politely easy were well bred Billina had looked after their education

yards were all the children and grandchildren eleven elders were of all sizes, from well-grown hens to tiny chickens just shell About fifty fluffy yellow youngsters were at school, being taught good manners and good grammar by young hen who wore spectacles They sang in chorus patriotic song Land of Oz, in honor visitors, and Aunt Em was much impressed talking chickens

Dorothy wanted to stay and play young chickens for awhile, but Uncle Henry and Aunt Em seen the palace grounds and gardens yet and were eager better acquainted marvelous and delightful land they were to live

"I'll stay here, and go for walk," said Dorothy "You'll be perfec'ly safe anywhere, and may do whatever to get tired, go back palace and find your rooms, and I'll come before luncheon is ready "

So Uncle Henry and Aunt Em started out alone to explore the grounds, and Dorothy knew couldn't get lost, because all the palace grounds were enclosed by high wall of green marble set with emeralds

rare treat simple folk, who had lived country all their lives and known little enjoyment of any sort, to wear beautiful clothes and live in palace and be treated with respect and consideration by all around them They were very happy indeed strolled up the shady walks and looked gorgeous flowers and shrubs, feeling that their new home was more beautiful than any tongue could describe

Suddenly, turned corner and walked through gap in high hedge, they came with an enormous Lion, which crouched green lawn and seemed surprised by their appearance

They stopped short, Uncle Henry trembling with horror and Aunt Em too terrified to scream Next moment the poor woman clasped her husband around the neck and cried:

"Save me, Henry, save me ! "

"Can't even save myself, Em," he returned, in husky voice, " animile looks it could eat both of us an' lick its chops for more ! If I only had gun--"

"Haven't you, Henry ? Haven't you ? " she asked anxiously

"Nary gun, Em So let's die as brave an' graceful our luck couldn't last ! "

"I won't die I won't be eaten by lion ! " wailed Aunt Em, glaring huge beast Then thought struck her, and she whispered, "Henry, I've heard as savage beastses conquered human eye I'll eye that lion out o' countenance an' save our lives "

"Try it, Em," he returned, also in whisper "Look at him at me when I'm late to dinner "

Aunt Em turned Lion determined countenance and wild dilated eye She glared immense beast steadily, Lion, who quietly blinking at them, began to appear uneasy and disturbed

"Is anything the matter, ma'am ? " he asked, in mild voice

speech terrible beast Aunt Em and Uncle Henry both were startled, and then Uncle Henry remembered the Lion they had seen in Ozma's Throne Room

"Hold on, Em ! " he exclaimed "Quit the eagle eye conquest an' take courage I guess same Cowardly Lion Dorothy has told us about "

"Oh, ? " she cried, much relieved

"When he spoke, I got the idea; and when he looked so 'shamed like, sure of it," Uncle Henry continued

Aunt Em regarded the animal with new interest

" the Cowardly Lion ? " she inquired " Dorothy's friend ? "

"Yes'm," answered the Lion, meekly "Dorothy and I are old chums very fond of I'm the King of Beasts, , Hungry Tiger and I serve Princess Ozma as her body guards "

" ," said Aunt Em, nodding "But the King of Beasts shouldn't be cowardly "

"I've heard that said before," remarked the Lion, yawning till he showed two great rows of sharp white teeth; "but keep me from being frightened whenever I go into battle "

"What do , run ? " asked Uncle Henry

"No; foolish, enemy would run after me," declared the Lion "So I tremble with fear and pitch in as hard as ; and always won my fight "

"Ah, I begin to understand," said Uncle Henry

"Were you scared when I looked at you just now ? " inquired Aunt Em

"Terribly scared, madam," answered the Lion, "for at first you were going fit Then I noticed you were trying to overcome me power of your eye, and your glance was so fierce and penetrating that I shook with fear "

This greatly pleased the lady, and she said quite cheerfully:

"Well, I won't hurt you, so don't be scared any more I just wanted what the human eye was good for "

"The human eye is fearful weapon," remarked the Lion, scratching his nose softly paw to hide smile "Had I not known you were Dorothy's friends torn you both into shreds to escape your terrible gaze "

Aunt Em shuddered at hearing this, and Uncle Henry said hastily:

"I'm glad us Good morning, Mr Lion; we'll hope you again--by and by-- "

"Good morning," replied the Lion, squatting down lawn again " likely of me, live Land of Oz "

8 How the Grand Gallipoot Joined The Nomes