"I'm sorry 'bout that," said Dorothy gravely, "for now no one to help his poor uncle and Margolotte 'cept this Patchwork Girl, the Woozy Glass Cat "

"Don't mention it," said Scraps "That's no affair Margolotte and Unc Nunkie are perfect strangers , moment to life they came to marble "

" ," remarked Dorothy with sigh of regret; "the woman forgot heart "

"I'm glad she did," retorted the Patchwork Girl "A heart great annoyance to one It makes person feel sad or sorry or devoted or sympathetic--all sensations interfere with one's happiness "

" heart," murmured the Glass Cat "It's made of ruby; but I don't imagine let it bother me about helping Unc Nunkie and Margolotte "

"That's pretty hard heart of yours," said Dorothy " Woozy, --"

"Why, as ," observed the Woozy, who was reclining floor legs doubled under him, he looked much like square box, " never seen those unfortunate people speaking of, and yet sorry , having at times been unfortunate myself When shut up forest I longed for some one to help me, and by and by Ojo came and did help me So I'm willing to help his uncle I'm only stupid beast, Dorothy, but 't help that, and 'll tell me what to help Ojo uncle, I'll gladly "

Dorothy walked over and patted the Woozy square head

"You're not pretty," she said, "but I like you you able ; anything 'special ? "

" make my eyes flash fire--real fire--when I'm angry When anyone says: 'Krizzle-Kroo' I get angry, and then my eyes flash fire "

"I don't see as fireworks could help Ojo's uncle," remarked Dorothy " do anything else ? "

"I-- I had very terrifying growl," said the Woozy, with hesitation; "but perhaps mistaken "

"Yes," said the Shaggy Man, "you were certainly wrong " Then he turned to Dorothy and added: " become Munchkin boy ? "

"I don't know," she said, shaking her head thoughtfully "Ozma will see him 'bout it, , and then she'll punish him But how, I don't know, 'cause no one ever punished in Oz since anything place Too bad, Shaggy Man, isn't it ? "

While they were talking Scraps roaming around the room and looking at all the pretty things it contained She had carried Ojo's basket in her hand, until now, when she decided inside it She found the bread and cheese, which she had no use for, bundle of charms, which were curious but quite mystery to her Then, turning these over, she came six-leaved clover which the boy had plucked

Scraps was quick-witted, and although she had no heart she recognized the fact that Ojo was her first friend She knew at once that because the boy had taken the clover he imprisoned, and she understood that Ojo had given her the basket so not find the clover possession proof crime So, turning her head that no one noticed her, she took the clover basket and dropped it into golden vase that stood on Dorothy's table Then she came forward and said to Dorothy:

"I wouldn't care to help Ojo's uncle, but help Ojo break the Law--no one can prove -- green-whiskered soldier had no right to arrest him "

"Ozma ordered the boy's arrest," said Dorothy, "and she knew what she was doing But prove Ojo is innocent set him free at once "

"They'll have him guilty, won't they ? '' asked Scraps

"I s'pose so "

"Well, 't ," declared the Patchwork Girl

As nearly time for Dorothy to dine with Ozma, which she did every evening, she rang for servant and ordered the Woozy taken to nice room and given plenty food as he liked best

"That's honey-bees," said the Woozy

" 't eat honey-bees, but you'll be given something just as nice," Dorothy told him Then she had the Glass Cat taken to another room night Patchwork Girl she kept in one of her own rooms, for she was much interested strange creature and wanted with her again and try to understand her better

Chapter Seventeen

Ozma and Her Friends

The Shaggy Man had room own royal palace, so there he went his shaggy suit of clothes for another just as shaggy but not so dusty from travel He selected costume of pea-green and pink satin and velvet, with embroidered shags on all the edges and iridescent pearls for ornaments Then he bathed in an alabaster pool and brushed his shaggy hair and whiskers the wrong way them still more shaggy This accomplished, and arrayed splendid shaggy garments, he went to Ozma's banquet hall and found the Scarecrow, the Wizard and Dorothy already assembled there The Scarecrow had made quick trip and returned Emerald City left ear freshly painted

moment later, while they all stood in waiting, servant threw open door, the orchestra struck up tune and Ozma of Oz entered

Much told and written concerning the beauty of person and character sweet girl Ruler Land of Oz--the richest, the happiest and most delightful fairyland any knowledge Yet with all her queenly qualities Ozma was real girl and enjoyed the things in life that other real girls enjoy When she sat on her splendid emerald throne great Throne Room of her palace and made laws and settled disputes and tried all her subjects happy and contented, she was as dignified and demure as any queen ; but when she had thrown aside her jeweled robe of state and her sceptre, and had retired to her private apartments, the girl-- joyous, light-hearted and free--replaced the sedate Ruler

banquet hall to-night were gathered only old and trusted friends, so here Ozma was herself--a mere girl She greeted Dorothy with kiss, the Shaggy Man with smile, the little old Wizard with friendly handshake and then she pressed the Scarecrow's stuffed arm and cried merrily:

"What lovely left ear ! Why, it's hundred times better old one "

"I'm glad you like it," replied the Scarecrow, well pleased "Jinjur did neat job, didn't she ? And my hearing is now perfect Isn't it wonderful what little paint will do, 's properly applied ? "

"It really is wonderful," she agreed, all took their seats; "but the Sawhorse must his legs twinkle carried you in one day I didn't expect you back before to-morrow, earliest "

"Well," said the Scarecrow, "I met charming girl road and wanted more of her, so I hurried back "

Ozma laughed

" ," she returned; "it's the Patchwork Girl certainly bewildering, strictly beautiful "

" seen her, then ? " the straw man eagerly asked

"Only in my Magic Picture, which shows me all scenes of interest Land of Oz "

" the picture didn't do her justice," said the Scarecrow

"It seemed that nothing more gorgeous," declared Ozma "Whoever made that patchwork quilt, Scraps was formed, selected the gayest and brightest bits of cloth that ever were woven "

" you like her," said the Scarecrow in satisfied tone Although the straw man eat, not being made so , he often dined with Ozma and her companions, merely pleasure of talking He sat table and had napkin and plate, but the servants knew better than to offer him food After little while he asked: "Where Patchwork Girl now ? "

"In my room," replied Dorothy "I've taken fancy to her; she's so queer and--and--uncommon "

"She's half crazy, ," added the Shaggy Man

"But so beautiful ! " exclaimed the Scarecrow, as fact disarmed all criticism They all laughed at his enthusiasm, but the Scarecrow was quite serious Seeing that interested in Scraps they forbore anything against her The little band of friends Ozma had gathered around her was so quaintly assorted that much care exercised to avoid hurting their feelings or making unhappy It considerate kindness that held them close friends and enabled them to enjoy one another's society

Another thing they avoided was conversing on unpleasant subjects, and reason Ojo troubles mentioned during the dinner The Shaggy Man, however, related his adventures monstrous plants which had seized and enfolded the travelers, and told how he had robbed Chiss, the giant porcupine, quills which accustomed to throw at people Both Dorothy and Ozma were pleased exploit and thought it served Chiss right

Then they talked Woozy, the most remarkable animal any had ever before seen--except, perhaps, the live Sawhorse Ozma had never known that her dominions contained such thing as Woozy, there being but one in existence and this being confined forest for many years Dorothy said she believed the Woozy was good beast, honest and faithful; but she added that she care much Glass Cat

"Still," said the Shaggy Man, "the Glass Cat is very pretty and if she so conceited over her pink brains no one would object to her as companion "

The Wizard eating silently until now, when he looked up and remarked:

"That Powder of Life made Crooked Magician is really wonderful thing But Dr Pipt know its true value and he uses it most foolish ways "

" see ," said Ozma, gravely Then she smiled again and continued in lighter tone: " Dr Pipt's famous Powder of Life that enabled me the Ruler of Oz "

"I've never heard that story," said the Shaggy Man, looking at Ozma questioningly