"No, dear," answered Polychrome, smiling

"Well, I don't have to work any in Oz, either," said Dorothy "It's kind of fun Princess once in while; don't so ? "

"Dorothy and Polychrome and Button-Bright are all to ride chariot," said the Lion "So get in, my dears, and be careful not to mar the gold or put your dusty feet embroidery "

Button-Bright was delighted to ride behind such superb team, and Dorothy it made him feel like an actor in circus strides animals brought them nearer Emerald City bowed respectfully children, Tin Woodman, Tik-tok, shaggy man, who were following behind

The Yellow Hen had perched back chariot, where tell Dorothy more about her wonderful chickens rode And so the grand chariot came finally high wall surrounding the City, and paused magnificent jewel-studded gates

These were opened by cheerful-looking little man who wore green spectacles over his eyes Dorothy introduced him to her friends Guardian Gates, noticed big bunch of keys suspended golden chain that hung around his neck The chariot passed outer gates into fine arched chamber built thick wall, and inner gates streets Emerald City

Polychrome exclaimed in rapture wondrous beauty that met her eyes on every side rode stately and imposing City, the equal of never been discovered, even in Fairyland Button-Bright could only say "My ! " so amazing sight; but his eyes were wide open and he tried to look in every direction same time, so as not to miss anything

The shaggy man was fairly astounded at what , graceful and handsome buildings were covered with plates of gold and set with emeralds so splendid and valuable that in part world worth fortune to its owner The sidewalks were superb marble slabs polished as smooth as glass, curbs that separated the walks broad street were also set thick with clustered emeralds There were many people 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 heard on every side

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

" they work," replied the Tin Woodman; "this fair city built or cared for without labor, nor could the fruit and vegetables and other food be provided inhabitants to eat But no one works more than half his time, people of Oz enjoy their labors do their play "

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

The chariot, winding through many charming streets, paused before building so vast and noble and elegant that even Button-Bright guessed at once the Royal Palace Its gardens and ample grounds were surrounded by separate wall, not so high or thick wall around the City, but more daintily designed and built all of green marble The gates flew open chariot appeared before them, Cowardly Lion and Hungry Tiger trotted up jeweled driveway front door palace and stopped short

"Here ! " said Dorothy, gaily, and helped Button-Bright chariot Polychrome leaped out lightly after them, were greeted by crowd of gorgeously dressed servants who bowed low visitors mounted the marble steps At their head was pretty little maid with dark hair and eyes, dressed all in green embroidered with silver Dorothy ran her with evident pleasure, and exclaimed:

"O, Jellia Jamb ! I'm so you again Where's Ozma ? "

"In her room, your Highness," replied the little maid demurely, for Ozma's favorite attendant "She wishes you to her as soon 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 Munchkin country some fresh straw to stuff himself with, in honor of Ozma's celebration," replied the maid "He returns Emerald City to-morrow, "

, Tok-tok, the Tin Woodman, shaggy man had arrived chariot had gone around back palace, Billina going Lion and Tiger her chickens after her absence But Toto stayed close beside Dorothy

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

The shaggy man hesitated Dorothy had never known him ashamed shaggy looks before, but now that surrounded by 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 shaggy handkerchief and entered the grand hall others

Tik-tok lived Royal Palace Tin Woodman always had the same room whenever he visited Ozma, so these two went at once to remove the dust journey from their shining bodies Dorothy also had pretty suite of rooms which she always occupied when Emerald City; but several servants walked ahead politely to show the way, although she was find the rooms herself She took Button-Bright with her, because too small left alone big palace; but Jellia Jamb herself ushered the beautiful Daughter Rainbow to her apartments, because easy that Polychrome was used to splendid palaces and was therefore entitled to especial attention

19 The Shaggy Man's Welcome

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

"Permit me, sir, to conduct you to your apartments "

The shaggy man drew long breath and took courage

" ," he answered "I'm ready "

big hall they went, up the grand staircase carpeted thick with velvet, and so along wide corridor to 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 rooms our Royal Ozma has ordered prepared Whatever is to use and enjoy, your own The Princess dines at seven, and here to lead you drawing-room, where privileged to meet the lovely Ruler of Oz any command, meantime, to honor me ? "

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

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

He given handsomest apartments most magnificent palace , and not wonder that his good fortune astonished and awed him until he grew used surroundings

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

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

For time the shaggy man gazed upon all this luxury with silent amazement Then he decided, being wise way, advantage good fortune He removed his shaggy boots shaggy clothing, and bathed pool with rare enjoyment After he had dried himself soft towels he went dressing-room and took fresh linen drawers and put it on, finding that everything fitted him exactly He examined the contents closets and selected an elegant suit of clothing Strangely enough, everything was shaggy, although so new and beautiful, and he sighed with contentment to 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 shaggy satin of delicate cream color, 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 thus attired the shaggy man looked at himself in long mirror with great admiration On table mother-of-pearl chest decorated with delicate silver vines and flowers of clustered rubies, and cover was silver plate engraved words:

THE SHAGGY MAN: HIS BOX OF ORNAMENTS