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saulted to Ozma's scalawagon.
"What can I do for you, Ozma?" she said.
"Better do something for yourself, Scraps. Go to
the Style Shop and get yourself a new outfit. And
help the bell-men through the turn-style. When you
all look better, come back and see the fun."
Scraps drew herself up importantly. "I'll see that
those fellows behave themselves," she said.
Hearing Ozma's voice, the bell-men stopped fight-
ing and stood up at attention. They were a sorry
sight, with their clothes all askew, and their whiskers
stuck fast in molasses.
They followed the beckoning Scraps, who took them
to the Style Shop.
When Scraps returned from the Style Shop, she was
so proud of her new outfit that she rode on the roof
of her scalawagon, so that everyone could see her.
The bell-men, in neat suits of blue and gold, rode
soberly beneath her.
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"Now, good people," Ozma said, standing up in her
Royal scalawagon, "we have some grand entertain-
ment. I hope it will please you!"
The people broke into cheers for their beloved
Queen. Ozma and her party left their scalawagons
and mounted to the terrace of Custard Court, where
they might overlook the huge, colorful throng. On
the terrace, they found Glinda and the Wizard.
Glinda, looking her loveliest in a long red robe, with
her long hair flowing over her shoulders, stood up to
greet Ozma.
"I want to thank you and the Wizard. The scala-
wagons have made my people so happy! During the
day, the children play fire-engine with them, and in
the evening the old folks go riding in the country."
The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman now joined
the royal party. "My people enjoy their scalawagons,
too," said the Tin Woodman. "This morning I saw a
Winkie mother tucking her child into one for its forty
winks."
"My Munchkins have another use for theirs," put
in the Scarecrow. "They mail their letters in them.
It's the fastest service we've ever had."
"How do they do it?" asked Ozma, looking inter-
ested.
"They just put their letter inside the scalawagon
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and tell the car where to deliver it. In no time at all,
the scalawagon is back-with an answer."
"Well, if that doesn't beat all!" exclaimed Aunt
Em.
"Yes, the scalawagons are a wonderful gift to the
people," said Glinda. "And as I was saying, I'd like
to show my appreciation. So--look!"
The party on the terrace bent to look down into the
court. There, coming through the crowd, were the
six Lollies and their Pops. They carried brimming
buckets of water fairies on their heads. In the center
of the courtyard they lowered the buckets and spread
them with a swish. Glinda stood up and raised her
hands. Instantly a circular brook was flowing there,
with the water fairies bobbing on the surface.
The people broke into a pandemonium of delight.
They danced and shouted like mad.
"They love it," said Ozma, giving Glinda a smile
of thanks. "And it certainly adds to the beauty of
the courtyard."
When the crowd quieted down, the music of the
brook could be heard. The people, recognizing a fa-
miliar waltz, quickly found partners and danced.
The small children formed a ring around the brook
and danced, too. Then overhead, came flying the
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eighty-eight bell-men. Joining softly with the music,
they played the "Waltz of the Bells."
"My, aren't they all having a grand time!" said Aunt
Em. "I declare, it makes me feel young enough to
dance, too!"
"What are we waiting for?" said Uncle Henry, ris-
ing and offering Aunt Em his arm. The two went off
to join the dancers.
Just then Number Nine came onto the terrace.
Going up to Jenny, he said, "May I have this dance?"
Jenny blushed.
"Go ahead, Jenny," spoke the Wizard. "For I mean
to ask Ozma for this dance myself."
The Tin Woodman put his hand over his heart.
"That gives me courage to ask Glinda's kind per-
mission for this dance," he said.
The Scarecrow stepped up to Dorothy and bowed
low. "Will you honor me, my dear?"
"Why, I'd love to!" cried Dorothy, jumping to her
feet. All the girls went down with their partners.
The scalawagons were delighted at this party given
in their honor. Rearing up on their hind wheels, they
cavorted as merrily as the rest.
Now there wasn't a body who wasn't dancing.
Never had there been so much laughter and fun with-
in the Emerald City. The Guardian of the Gate and
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the Soldier with the Green Whiskers looked up from
their game of marbles inside the city gate. Hearing
the music, they put their arms on each other's
shoulders and began to waltz.
"Happy days!" said the Guardian.
"What's happy about it?" asked a voice behind the
Guardian. It was the Town Crier, crying with all his
might. "They're all so gay, I've nothing to cry about!"
he complained, and he felt so sorry for himself that
he cried harder than ever.
"That's right," said the Guardian. "Just sit down
and have a good cry. It will make you feel better."
"I don't want to feel better," said the Crier. "I'm
happiest when I'm saddest. But I can't keep my feet
from dancing to that music!"
Still crying, he went dancing away. He came to
Custard Court, and stood dancing on the edge of the
crowd.
Up on the terrace appeared the tall hall clock from
the Wizard's tower.
"Where's that boy?" grumbled the Clock. "He
ought to be at work. Three and a half days late! Why,
I've ticked myself black in the face, in all that time!
I won't tick if he won't work. I'll just stop!"
The minute the Clock stopped it heard the music of
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the brook and the bells. They were merrily playing
"The Dance of the Hours." The cranky old clock found
its feet tapping on the terrace floor.
"I can't stop dancing!" it cried, tapping its feet
faster. "This is an outrage! There's work to be done.
Three and a half days late!"
Turning, the Clock fled from the terrace, across to
the palace, and up the stairs to its corner. But even
there the music could be heard, and the old Clock
could not restrain its feet.
"Three and a half--Help!" it cried, as it stood hop-
ping and tapping to the merry tune.
The End [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]