The Cowardly Lion, looking very dignified, was stretched out marble floor stable, eyeing Hank with calm and critical gaze, while near by crouched the huge Hungry Tiger, who seemed equally interested new animal that had just arrived The Sawhorse, standing stiffly before Hank, repeated his question:

"Is 'hee-haw' all ? "

Hank moved his ears in an embarrassed manner

" never said anything else, until now," he replied; and then he began to tremble with fright to hear himself talk

" well understand that," remarked the Lion, wagging his great head with swaying motion "Strange things happen Land of Oz, do everywhere else I believe you came here cold, civilized, outside world, did you not ? "

" ," replied Hank "One minute outside of Oz-- next minute inside ! That was enough nervous shock, guess; but myself able , as Betsy does, is marvel that staggers me "

" because Land of Oz," said the Sawhorse "All animals talk, favored country, and admit more sociable than to bray your dreadful 'hee-haw,' which nobody can understand "

"Mules understand it ," declared Hank

"Oh, indeed ! Then other mules in your outside world," said the Tiger, yawning sleepily

" in America," said Hank " the only Tiger in Oz ? "

"No," acknowledged the Tiger, " many relatives living Jungle Country; but the only Tiger living Emerald City "

" other Lions, too," said the Sawhorse; "but the only horse, of any description, favored Land "

" why this Land is favored," said the Tiger " understand, friend Hank, Sawhorse puts on airs because shod with plates of gold, and because our beloved Ruler, Ozma of Oz, likes to ride upon his back "

"Betsy rides upon my back," declared Hank proudly

" Betsy ? "

"The dearest, sweetest girl in all the world ! "

The Sawhorse gave an angry snort and stamped his golden feet The Tiger crouched and growled Slowly the great Lion rose feet, his mane bristling

"Friend Hank," said he, "either mistaken in judgment or willfully trying to deceive us The dearest, sweetest girl is our Dorothy, fight anyone--animal or human-- who dares to deny it ! "

"So will I ! " snarled the Tiger, showing two rows of enormous white teeth

" all wrong ! " asserted the Sawhorse in voice of scorn "No girl living can compare with my mistress, Ozma of Oz ! "

Hank slowly turned around until his heels were toward the others Then stubbornly:

" not mistaken in my statement, nor will I admit there sweeter girl alive than Betsy Bobbin to fight, come on--I'm ready ! "

While they hesitated, eyeing Hank's heels doubtfully, merry peal of laughter startled the animals and turning their heads they beheld three lovely girls standing just richly carved entrance stable center was Ozma, her arms encircling the waists of Dorothy and Betsy, who stood on either side of her Ozma was nearly half head taller two other girls, who were almost of one size Unobserved, they had listened talk animals, very strange experience indeed to little Betsy Bobbin

"You foolish beasts ! " exclaimed the Ruler of Oz, in gentle but chiding voice "Why should you fight to defend us, all three loving friends and in no sense rivals ? Answer me ! " she continued, bowed their heads sheepishly

" the right to express my opinion, your Highness," pleaded the Lion

"And so have the others," replied Ozma " you Hungry Tiger love Dorothy best, for she was your first friend and companion Also pleased that my Sawhorse loves me best, for together endured both joy and sorrow Hank has proved his faith and loyalty by defending his own little mistress; and so all right in , but wrong in another Our Land of Oz is Land of Love, and here friendship outranks quality Unless all be friends, retain our love "

They accepted this rebuke very meekly

"All right," said the Sawhorse, quite cheerfully; "shake hoofs, friend Mule "

Hank touched his hoof wooden horse

" be friends and rub noses," said the Tiger So Hank modestly rubbed noses big beast

The Lion merely nodded and said, as he crouched mule:

"Any friend of friend beloved Ruler is friend Cowardly Lion That seems your case If ever help or advice, friend Hank, call on me "

"Why, as it ," said Ozma, highly pleased them so fully reconciled Then she turned to her companions: "Come, my dears, resume our walk "

turned away Betsy said wonderingly:

"Do all the animals in Oz talk do ? "

"Almost all," answered Dorothy "There's Yellow Hen here, and talk, and so can her chickens; and there's Pink Kitten upstairs in my room who talks very nicely; but I've little fuzzy black dog, named Toto, who with me in Oz , and he's never said single word but 'Bow-wow ! '"

" why ? " asked Ozma

"Why, he's Kansas dog; so I s'pose he's different fairy animals," replied Dorothy

"Hank isn't fairy animal, any more than Toto," said Ozma, "yet under the spell fairyland talk It same way with Billina, the Yellow Hen whom you brought here at The same spell has affected Toto, I assure you; but he's wise little dog and while everything said to him he prefers not "

"Goodness me ! " exclaimed Dorothy "I never s'pected Toto was fooling me all " Then she drew small silver whistle from her pocket and blew shrill note upon it moment later sound of scurrying footsteps, and shaggy black dog came running up the path

Dorothy knelt down before him and shaking her finger just above his nose she said:

"Toto, haven't I always been good ? "

Toto looked up at her bright black eyes and wagged his tail

"Bow-wow ! " , and Betsy knew at once that meant yes, as Dorothy and Ozma knew it, for no mistaking the tone of Toto's voice

"That's dog answer," said Dorothy "How would you like it, Toto, if nothing but 'bow-wow' ? "

Toto's tail was wagging furiously now, but otherwise silent

"Really, Dorothy," said Betsy, " talk bark tail just Don't you understand such dog language ? "

" ," replied Dorothy "But Toto's got more sociable See here, sir ! " she continued, addressing the dog, "I've just learned, first time, that you words-- to Don't to, Toto ? "

"Woof ! " said Toto, meant "no "

"Not just one word, Toto, you're as animal in Oz ? "

"Woof ! "

"Just one word, Toto--and then run away "

He looked at her steadily moment

"All right Here I go ! " , and darted away as swift as an arrow

Dorothy clapped her hands in delight, while Betsy and Ozma both laughed heartily at her pleasure success of her experiment Arm in arm they sauntered away beautiful gardens palace, where magnificent flowers bloomed in abundance and fountains shot their silvery sprays far air And by and by, turned corner, they came upon Shaggy Man brother, who were seated together upon golden bench

The two arose to bow respectfully Ruler of Oz approached them

"How enjoying our Land of Oz ? " Ozma asked the stranger

" very happy here, Your Highness," replied Shaggy's brother "Also very grateful for permitting me to live delightful place "

" thank Shaggy ," said Ozma "Being his brother, you welcome here "

" know Brother better," said Shaggy earnestly, " he has become one of your loyal subjects just getting acquainted myself and much character to admire "

Leaving the brothers, Ozma girls continued their walk Presently Betsy exclaimed:

"Shaggy's brother can't ever be as happy in Oz as , Dorothy, I didn't believe any girl could ever have such -- anywhere--as I'm having now ? "

" ," answered Dorothy "I've felt that way myself, lots of times "

" ," continued Betsy, dreamily, "that every little girl could live Land of Oz; and every little boy, too ! "

Ozma laughed

" quite fortunate , Betsy, that your wish granted," said she, "for all that army of girls and boys would crowd us to move away "

"Yes," agreed Betsy, after little thought, "I guess that's true "

THE END

The Wonderful Oz Books by L Frank Baum

THE WIZARD OF OZ
THE LAND OF OZ
OZMA OF OZ
DOROTHY WIZARD IN OZ
THE ROAD TO OZ
THE EMERALD CITY OF OZ
THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ
TIK-TOK OF OZ
THE SCARECROW OF OZ
RINKITINK IN OZ
THE LOST PRINCESS OF OZ
THE TIN WOODMAN OF OZ
THE MAGIC OF OZ
GLINDA OF OZ