While they waited, the Scarecrow, who was near the little boy, asked:

"Why called Button-Bright ? "

"Don't know," answer

"Oh yes, , dear," said Dorothy "Tell the Scarecrow how you got "

"Papa always said bright as button, so mama always called me Button-Bright," announced the boy

"Where is your mama ? " asked the Scarecrow

"Don't know," said Button-Bright

"Where is your home ? " asked the Scarecrow

"Don't know," said Button-Bright

"Don't your mama again ? " asked the Scarecrow

"Don't know," said Button-Bright, calmly

The Scarecrow looked thoughtful

"Your papa may right," he observed; "but many kinds of buttons, silver and gold buttons, which are highly polished and glitter brightly pearl and rubber buttons, and other kinds, with surfaces more or less bright But still another sort of button covered with dull cloth, and be the sort your papa meant when you were bright as button Don't so ? "

"Don't know," said Button-Bright

Jack Pumpkinhead arrived, wearing pair of new, white kid gloves; and he brought birthday present for Ozma consisting of necklace of pumpkin-seeds In each seed was set sparkling carolite, considered the rarest and most beautiful gem that exists The necklace was in plush case and Jellia Jamb put it on table Princess Ozma's other presents

Next came tall, beautiful woman clothed in splendid trailing gown, trimmed with exquisite lace as fine as cobweb the important Sorceress known as Glinda the Good, who of great assistance to both Ozma and Dorothy no humbug about her magic, , and Glinda was as kind as she was powerful She greeted Dorothy most lovingly, and kissed Button-Bright and Polly, and smiled shaggy man, after which Jellia Jamb led the Sorceress to magnificent rooms royal palace and appointed fifty servants to wait upon her

The next arrival was Mr H M Woggle-Bug, T E ; the "H M " meaning Highly Magnified "T E " meaning Thoroughly Educated The Woggle-Bug was head professor Royal College of Oz, and he had composed fine Ode in honor of Ozma's birthday This to read ; but the Scarecrow wouldn't let him

Soon they heard clucking sound and chorus of "cheep ! cheep ! " and servant threw open the door to allow Billina and her ten fluffy chicks to enter the Throne-Room Yellow Hen marched proudly head of her family, Dorothy cried, "Oh, you lovely things ! " and ran down from her seat to pet the little yellow downy balls Billina wore pearl necklace, and around the neck of each chicken was tiny gold chain holding locket letter "D" engraved outside

"Open the lockets, Dorothy," said Billina The girl obeyed and found picture of herself in each locket "They were named after you, my dear," continued the Yellow Hen, "so all my chickens to wear your picture Cluck--cluck ! come here, Dorothy--this minute ! " she cried, chickens were scattered and wandering all around the big room

They obeyed the call at once, and came running as fast as , fluttering their fluffy wings in laughable way

lucky that Billina gathered the little ones under her soft breast just then, for Tik-tok came in and tramped throne flat copper feet

" all wound up and work-ing fine-ly," said the clock-work man to Dorothy

" hear him tick," declared Button-Bright

" quite the polished gentleman," said the Tin Woodman "Stand up here beside the shaggy man, Tik-tok, and help receive the company "

Dorothy placed soft cushions in corner for Billina and her chicks, and had just returned Throne and seated herself playing royal band outside the palace announced the approach of distinguished guests

And my, how stare High Chamberlain threw open the doors visitors entered the Throne-Room !

First walked gingerbread man neatly formed and baked to lovely brown tint He wore silk hat and carried candy cane prettily striped with red and yellow His shirt-front and cuffs were white frosting, buttons coat were licorice drops

Behind the gingerbread man came child with flaxen hair and merry blue eyes, dressed in white pajamas, with sandals soles pretty bare feet The child looked around smiling and thrust its hands pockets pajamas Close after it came big rubber bear, walking erect on its hind feet The bear had twinkling black eyes, and its body looked it pumped full of air

Following these curious visitors were two tall, thin men and two short, fat men, all four dressed in gorgeous uniforms

Ozma's High Chamberlain now hurried forward to announce the names new arrivals, calling out in loud voice:

"His Gracious and Most Edible Majesty, King Dough the First, Ruler Two Kingdoms of Hiland and Loland Also the Head Boolywag Majesty, known as Chick the Cherub, and their faithful friend Para Bruin, the rubber bear "

These great personages bowed low as their names were called, and Dorothy hastened to introduce them assembled company They were the first foreign arrivals, friends of Princess Ozma were polite and tried them feel were welcome

Chick the Cherub shook hands with , including Billina, and was so joyous and frank and full of good spirits that John Dough's Head Booleywag at once became prime favorite

" boy or girl ? " whispered Dorothy

"Don't know," said Button-Bright

"Goodness me ! what queer lot of people ," exclaimed the rubber bear, looking assembled company

"So're you," said Button-Bright, gravely "Is King Dough good to eat ? "

"He's too good to eat," laughed Chick the Cherub

" none of fond of gingerbread," said the King, rather anxiously

" never think of eating our visitors, were," declared the Scarecrow; "so please worry, for perfectly safe while you remain in Oz "

"Why do they call you Chick ? " the Yellow Hen asked the child

"Because I'm an Incubator Baby, and never had any parents," replied the Head Booleywag

"My chicks have parent, and I'm it," said Billina

"I'm glad ," answered the Cherub, "because they'll have more fun worrying you than were brought up in an Incubator The Incubator never worries, "

King John Dough had brought for Ozma's birthday present lovely gingerbread crown, with rows of small pearls around it and fine big pearl in each five points received by Dorothy with proper thanks and placed table other presents, the visitors from Hiland and Loland were escorted rooms High Chamberlain

They had no sooner departed band palace began to play again, announcing more arrivals, and were doubtless from foreign parts the High Chamberlain hurried back to receive them most official manner

22 Important Arrivals

First entered band of Ryls Happy Valley, all merry little sprites like fairy elves dozen crooked Knooks followed great Forest of Burzee They had long whiskers and pointed caps and curling toes, yet were no taller than Button-Bright's shoulder group came man so easy to recognize and so important and dearly beloved known world, that all present rose feet and bowed their heads in respectful homage, even High Chamberlain knelt to announce his name

"The most Mighty and Loyal Friend of Children, His Supreme Highness--Santa Claus ! " said the Chamberlain, in an awed voice

"Well, well, well ! you--glad to meet you all ! " cried Santa Claus, briskly, as he trotted up the long room

round as an apple, with fresh rosy face, laughing eyes, and bushy beard as white as snow red cloak trimmed with beautiful ermine hung shoulders and upon his back was basket filled with pretty presents Princess Ozma

"Hello, Dorothy; still having adventures ? " he asked jolly way, as the girl's hand in both his own

"How did my name, Santa ? " she replied, feeling more shy presence immortal saint than she ever had before in her young life

"Why, don't you every Christmas Eve, 're asleep ? " he rejoined, pinching her blushing cheek

"Oh, ? "

"And here's Button-Bright, I declare ! " cried Santa Claus, holding up the boy to kiss him "What long way from home ; dear me ! "

" Button-Bright, too ? " questioned Dorothy, eagerly

"Indeed I've visited his home several Christmas Eves "

"And his father ? " asked the girl

"Certainly, my dear Who else suppose brings him his Christmas neckties and stockings ? " with sly wink Wizard

"Then where does he live ? We're just crazy , 'cause Button-Bright's lost," she said

Santa laughed and laid his finger aside nose thinking what to reply He leaned over and whispered something Wizard's ear, at which the Wizard smiled and nodded he understood

Now Santa Claus spied Polychrome, and trotted over to where she stood

"Seems the Rainbow's Daughter is farther from home than any of you," he observed, looking pretty maiden admiringly "I'll have your father where , Polly, and you "

"Please do, dear Santa Claus," implored the little maid, beseechingly

"But just now all have jolly at Ozma's party," said the old gentleman, turning his presents table others already there "It isn't often time to leave my castle, ; but Ozma invited me and I just couldn't help coming to celebrate the happy occasion "

"I'm so glad ! " exclaimed Dorothy

"These are my Ryls," pointing little sprites squatting around him "Their business is to paint the colors flowers bud and bloom; but I brought the merry fellows along Oz, 've left their paint-pots behind them Also I brought these crooked Knooks, whom I love My dears, the Knooks are much nicer than they look, for their duty is to water and care young trees forest, do their work faithfully and well It's hard work, though, and it makes my Knooks crooked and gnarled, like the trees themselves; but their hearts are big and kind, as are the hearts of all who do good beautiful world "

"I've read Ryls and Knooks," said Dorothy, looking upon these little workers with interest