Oz 05: The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum
Section [1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21]
very_well, madam; you shall try the journey first," politely answered old Santa .

The pretty wax doll bade good-bye to_the Princess Ozma and_the others and stood on_the platform while the Wizard blew abig soap-bubble around her .When completed, he allowed the bubble to float slowly upward, and there could_be seen the little Queen of Merryland standing in_the middle of it and blowing kisses from her fingers to_those below .The bubble took asoutherly direction, quickly floating out of sight .

"That's avery nice way to travel," said Princess Fluff ."I'd like to_go home in abubble, too ."

So the Wizard blew abig bubble around Princess Fluff, and another around King Bud, her brother, and athird one around Queen Zixi; and soon these three bubbles had mounted into_the sky and were floating off in agroup in_the direction of_the kingdom of Noland .

The success of_these ventures induced the other guests from foreign lands to undertake bubble journeys, also; so the Wizard put them one by one inside his bubbles, and Santa Claus directed the way they should go, because he_knew exactly where everybody lived .

Finally, Button-Bright said:

" i_want to_go home, too ."

"Why, so you shall ! " cried Santa; "for I'm sure your father and mother will be_glad_to_see you again .Mr Wizard, please blow abig, fine bubble for Button-Bright to ride in, and I'll agree to send_him home to_his family as safe as safe can_be ."

"I'm sorry," said Dorothy with asigh, for she was fond of her little comrade; "but p'raps it's best for Button-Bright to_get home; 'cause his folks must_be worrying just dreadful ."

She kissed the boy, and Ozma kissed him, too, and all the others waved their hands and said good-bye and wished him apleasant journey .

" are_you glad to leave us, dear ? " asked Dorothy, alittle wistfully .

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

He sat down cross-legged on_the platform, with_his sailor hat tipped back on_his head, and_the Wizard blew abeautiful bubble all around him .

aminute later it had mounted into_the sky, sailing toward the west, and_the last they saw of Button-Bright he_was still sitting in_the middle of_the shining globe and waving his sailor hat at those below .

" will_you ride in abubble, or shall I send_you and Toto home by_means of_the Magic Belt ? " the Princess asked Dorothy .

"Guess I'll use the Belt," replied the little girl ."I'm sort of 'fraid of_those bubbles ."

"Bow-wow ! " said Toto, approvingly .He loved to bark at_the bubbles as_they sailed away, but he didn't care to ride in one .

Santa Claus decided to_go next .He thanked Ozma for her hospitality and wished her many happy returns of_the day .Then the Wizard blew abubble around his chubby little body and smaller bubbles around each of_his Ryls and Knooks .

as_the kind and generous friend of children mounted into_the air the people all cheered at_the top of_their voices, for they loved Santa Claus dearly; and_the little man heard them through_the walls of_his bubble and waved his hands in return as he smiled down upon them .The band played bravely while every_one watched the bubble until it_was completely out of sight .

"How 'bout you, Polly ? " Dorothy asked her friend ." are_you 'fraid of bubbles, too ? "

"No," answered Polychrome, smiling; "but Santa Claus promised to_speak to my father as he passed through_the sky .So perhaps I_shall get home an easier way ."

Indeed, the little maid had scarcely made this speech when asudden radiance filled the air, and while the people looked on in wonder the end of agorgeous rainbow slowly settled down upon_the platform .

With aglad cry, the Rainbow's Daughter sprang from her seat and danced along the curve of_the bow, mounting gradually upward, while the folds of her gauzy gown whirled and floated around her like acloud and blended with_the colors of_the rainbow itself .

"Good-bye Ozma ! Good-bye Dorothy ! " cried avoice they knew belonged to Polychrome; but now the little maiden's form had melted wholly into_the rainbow, and their eyes could no longer see her .

Suddenly, the end of_the rainbow lifted and its colors slowly faded like mist before abreeze .Dorothy sighed deeply and turned to Ozma .

"I'm sorry to lose Polly," she said; "but I guess she's better off with her father; 'cause even the Land of Oz couldn't be like home to acloud fairy ."

"No indeed," replied the Princess; "but it_has_been delightful for_us to_know Polychrome for alittle while, and--who knows ? --perhaps we_may meet the Rainbow's Daughter again, some day ."

The entertainment being now ended, all left the pavilion and formed their gay procession back to_the Emerald City again .Of Dorothy's recent traveling companions only Toto and_the shaggy man remained, and Ozma had decided to allow the latter to live in Oz for atime, at_least .If he proved honest and true she promised to let him live there always, and_the shaggy man was anxious to earn this reward .

They had anice quiet dinner together and passed apleasant evening with_the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, Tik-tok, and_the Yellow Hen for company .

When Dorothy bade them good-night, she kissed them all good-bye at_the same time .For Ozma had agreed that while Dorothy slept she and Toto should_be transported by_means of_the Magic Belt to her own little bed in_the Kansas farm-house and_the little girl laughed as she thought how astonished Uncle Henry and Aunt Em would_be when she came down to breakfast with_them next morning .

Quite content to have_had so pleasant an adventure, and alittle tired by all the day's busy scenes, Dorothy clasped Toto in her arms and lay down upon_the pretty white bed in her room in Ozma's royal palace .

Presently she was sound asleep .

Section [1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21]