in the pretty rooms of the Princess, and the Wizard did some new tricks, and the Scarecrow told stories, and the Tin Woodman sang a love song in a sonorous, metallic voice, and everybody laughed and had a good time. Then Dorothy wound up Tik-tok and he danced a jig to amuse the company, after which the Yellow Hen related some of her adventures with the Nome King in the Land of Ev.
The Princess served delicious refreshments to those who were in the habit of eating, and when Dorothy’s bed time arrived the company separated after exchanging many friendly sentiments.
Next morning they all assembled for the final parting, and many of the officials and courtiers came to look upon the impressive ceremonies.
Dorothy held Eureka in her arms and bade her friends a fond goodbye.
“You must come again, some time,” said the little Wizard; and she promised she would if she found it possible to do so.
“But Uncle Henry and Aunt Em need me to help them,” she added, “so I can’t ever be very long away from the farm in Kansas.”
Ozma wore the Magic Belt; and, when she had kissed Dorothy farewell and had made her wish, the little girl and her kitten disappeared in a twinkling.
“Where is she?” asked Zeb, rather bewildered by the suddenness of it.
“Greeting her uncle and aunt in Kansas, by this time,” returned Ozma, with a smile.
Then Zeb brought out Jim, all harnessed to the buggy, and took his seat.
“I’m much obliged for all your kindness,” said the boy, “and very grateful to you for saving my life and sending me home again after all the good times I’ve had. I think this is the loveliest country in the world; but not being fairies Jim and I feel we ought to be where we belong—and that’s at the ranch. Goodbye, everybody!”
He gave a start and rubbed his eyes. Jim was trotting along the well-known road, shaking his ears and whisking his tail with a contented motion. Just ahead of them were the gates of Hugson’s Ranch, and Uncle Hugson now came out and stood with uplifted arms and wide open mouth, staring in amazement.
“Goodness gracious! It’s Zeb—and Jim, too!” he exclaimed. “Where in the world have you been, my lad?”
“Why, in the world, Uncle,” answered Zeb, with a laugh.
The Road to Oz
2. Dorothy Meets Button-Bright
7. The Shaggy Man’s Transformation
16. Visiting the Pumpkin-Field
21. Dorothy Receives the Guests
In which is related how Dorothy Gale of Kansas,
The Shaggy Man, Button Bright, and Polychrome
the Rainbow’s Daughter met on an
Enchanted Road and followed
it all the way to the
Marvelous Land
of Oz.
To My Readers
Well, my dears, here is what you have asked for: another “Oz Book” about Dorothy’s strange adventures. Toto is in this story, because you wanted him to be there, and many other characters which you will recognize are in the story, too. Indeed, the wishes of my little correspondents have been considered as carefully as possible, and if the story is not exactly as you would have written it yourselves, you must remember that a story has to be a story before it can be written down, and the writer cannot change it much without spoiling it.
In the preface to “Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz” I said I would like to write some stories that were not “Oz” stories, because I thought I had written about Oz long enough; but since that volume was published I have been fairly deluged with letters from children imploring me to “write more about Dorothy,” and “more about Oz,” and since I write only to please the children I shall try to respect their wishes.
There are some new characters in this book that ought to win your live. I’m very fond of the shaggy man myself, and I think you will like him, too. As for Polychrome—the Rainbow’s Daughter—and stupid little Button-Bright, they seem to have brought a new element of fun into these Oz stories, and I am glad I discovered them. Yet I am anxious to have you write and tell me how you like them.
Since this book was written I have received some very remarkable News from The Land of Oz, which has greatly astonished me. I