Before them stood little man same size Munchkins clothed all in green, head feet, and even his skin was of greenish tint At his side was large green box

When Dorothy and her companions the man asked, "What wish Emerald City ? "

"We came here the Great Oz," said Dorothy

The man was so surprised answer that he sat down it over

" many years since anyone asked me Oz," , shaking his head in perplexity " powerful and terrible, and come on an idle or foolish errand to bother the wise reflections Great Wizard, angry and destroy you all in an instant "

"But foolish errand, nor an idle one," replied the Scarecrow; " important And told that Oz is good Wizard "

"So ," said the green man, "and he rules the Emerald City wisely and well But honest, or who approach him from curiosity, most terrible, and few have ever dared ask his face the Guardian Gates, and since you demand the Great Oz take you Palace But first put spectacles "

"Why ? " asked Dorothy

"Because wear spectacles the brightness and glory Emerald City would blind you Even those who live City must wear spectacles night and day all locked on, for Oz so ordered it City was first built, and the only key unlock them "

He opened the big box, and Dorothy saw filled with spectacles of every size and shape All had green glasses The Guardian Gates found pair just fit Dorothy and put them over her eyes There were two golden bands fastened that passed around the back of her head, where they were locked together by little key that was end of chain the Guardian Gates wore around his neck were on, Dorothy take them off had she wished, but she wish blinded glare Emerald City, so she said nothing

Then the green man fitted spectacles Scarecrow Tin Woodman Lion, and even on little Toto; and all were locked fast key

Then the Guardian Gates put own glasses and told them ready to show them Palace Taking big golden key from peg wall, he opened another gate, all followed him portal streets Emerald City

11 The Wonderful City of Oz

Even with eyes protected green spectacles, Dorothy and her friends were at first dazzled brilliancy wonderful City The streets were lined with beautiful houses all built of green marble and studded everywhere with sparkling emeralds They walked over pavement same green marble, and where the blocks were joined together were rows of emeralds, set closely, and glittering brightness sun The window panes were of green glass; even the sky above the City had green tint, rays sun were green

There were many people--men, women, and children--walking about, and these were all dressed in green clothes and had greenish skins They looked at Dorothy and her strangely assorted company with wondering eyes, children all ran away and hid behind their mothers saw the Lion; but no one spoke Many shops stood street, and Dorothy saw that everything was green Green candy and green pop corn were offered for sale, as green shoes, green hats, and green clothes of all sorts At one place man was selling green lemonade, and children bought it Dorothy paid with green pennies

There seemed no horses nor animals of any kind; the men carried things around in little green carts, which they pushed before them Everyone seemed happy and contented and prosperous

The Guardian Gates led them streets until they came to big building, exactly middle City, the Palace of Oz, the Great Wizard soldier door, dressed in green uniform and wearing long green beard

"Here are strangers," said the Guardian Gates to him, " demand the Great Oz "

"Step inside," answered the soldier, " carry your message to him "

So they passed Palace Gates and were led into big room with green carpet and lovely green furniture set with emeralds The soldier made them all wipe their feet upon green mat before entering this room, and were seated politely:

"Please make yourselves comfortable while I go door Throne Room and tell Oz here "

They had to wait soldier returned When, at last, back, Dorothy asked:

" seen Oz ? "

"Oh, no," returned the soldier; " never seen him But I spoke to him as he sat behind his screen and gave him your message grant you an audience, so desire; but of enter his presence alone, and admit but one Therefore, remain Palace for , you shown to rooms where rest in comfort after your journey "

" ," replied the girl; " very kind of Oz "

The soldier now blew upon green whistle, and at once young girl, dressed in pretty green silk gown, entered the room She had lovely green hair and green eyes, and she bowed low before Dorothy as she said, "Follow me show you your room "

So Dorothy said good-bye to all her friends except Toto, and taking the dog in her arms followed the green girl through seven passages and up three flights of stairs until they came to room front Palace It sweetest little room , with soft comfortable bed that had sheets of green silk and green velvet counterpane tiny fountain middle room, that shot spray of green perfume air, back into beautifully carved green marble basin Beautiful green flowers stood windows, and shelf with row of little green books When Dorothy had time to open these books she found them full of queer green pictures that made her laugh, they were so funny

In wardrobe were many green dresses, made of silk and satin and velvet; and all fitted Dorothy exactly

"Make yourself perfectly at home," said the green girl, "and for anything ring the bell Oz will send tomorrow morning "

She left Dorothy alone and went back others These she also led to rooms, and each found himself lodged in very pleasant part Palace this politeness was wasted Scarecrow; for when himself alone room he stood stupidly in one spot, just doorway, to wait till morning It rest him to lie down, and close his eyes; so he remained all night staring at little spider weaving its web in corner room, just it wonderful rooms The Tin Woodman lay down bed from force of habit, for he remembered when he of flesh; but not being able to sleep, he passed the night moving his joints up and down sure they kept in good working order The Lion preferred bed of dried leaves forest, and like being shut up in room; but he had sense to let this worry him, so he sprang bed and rolled himself up like cat and purred himself asleep in minute

The next morning, after breakfast, the green maiden came to fetch Dorothy, and she dressed her in prettiest gowns, made of green brocaded satin Dorothy put on green silk apron and tied green ribbon around Toto's neck, started Throne Room Great Oz

First they came to great hall were many ladies and gentlemen court, all dressed in rich costumes These people had nothing but talk to , but they always came to wait outside the Throne Room every morning, although they were never permitted Oz As Dorothy entered they looked at her curiously, and whispered:

" really going to look face of Oz the Terrible ? "

" ," answered the girl, "if me "