preferred to be called. He was magnificently dressed in a new feather
costume and wore white kid mittens over his paws and a flower in his
button-hole and had his hair parted in the middle.
King Dox thanked Dorothy fervently for getting him the invitation to
come to Oz, which he had all his life longed to visit. He strutted
around rather absurdly as he was introduced to all the famous people
assembled in the Throne-Room, and when he learned that Dorothy was a
Princess of Oz the Fox King insisted on kneeling at her feet and
afterward retired backward--a dangerous thing to do, as he might have
stubbed his paw and tumbled over.
No sooner was he gone than the blasts of bugles and clatter of drums and
cymbals announced important visitors, and the High Chamberlain assumed
his most dignified tone as he threw open the door and said proudly:
"Her Sublime and Resplendent Majesty, Queen Zixi of Ix! His Serene and
Tremendous Majesty, King Bud of Noland. Her Royal Highness, the Princess
Fluff."
[Illustration: HER MAJESTY, QUEEN ZIXI OF IX]
That three such high and mighty royal personages should arrive at once
was enough to make Dorothy and her companions grow solemn and assume
their best company manners; but when the exquisite beauty of Queen Zixi
met their eyes they thought they had never beheld anything so charming.
Dorothy decided that Zixi must be about sixteen years old, but the
Wizard whispered to her that this wonderful queen had lived thousands
of years, but knew the secret of remaining always fresh and beautiful.
King Bud of Noland and his dainty fair-haired sister, the Princess
Fluff, were friends of Zixi, as their kingdoms were adjoining, so they
had traveled together from their far-off domains to do honor to Ozma of
Oz on the occasion of her birthday. They brought many splendid gifts; so
the table was now fairly loaded down with presents.
Dorothy and Polly loved the Princess Fluff the moment they saw her, and
little King Bud was so frank and boyish that Button-Bright accepted him
as a chum at once and did not want him to go away. But it was after noon
now, and the royal guests must prepare their toilets for the grand
banquet at which they were to assemble that evening to meet the reigning
Princess of this Fairyland; so Queen Zixi was shown to her room by a
troop of maidens led by Jellia Jamb, and Bud and Fluff presently
withdrew to their own apartments.
"My! what a big party Ozma is going to have," exclaimed Dorothy. "I
guess the palace will be chock full, Button-Bright; don't you think so?"
"Don't know," said the boy.
"But we must go to our rooms, pretty soon, to dress for the banquet,"
continued the girl.
"I don't have to dress," said the Candy Man from Merryland. "All I need
do is to dust myself with fresh sugar."
[Illustration]
"Tik-tok and I always wear the same suits of clothes," said the Tin
Woodman; "and so does our friend the Scarecrow."
"My feathers are good enough for any occasion," cried Billina, from her
corner.
"Then I shall leave you four to welcome any new guests that come," said
Dorothy; "for Button-Bright and I must look our very best at Ozma's
banquet."
"Who is still to come?" asked the Scarecrow.
"Well, there's King Kika-bray of Dunkiton, and Johnny Dooit, and the
Good Witch of the North. But Johnny Dooit may not get here until late,
he's so very busy."
"We will receive them and give them a proper welcome," promised the
Scarecrow. "So run along, little Dorothy, and get yourself dressed."
[Illustration]
The Grand Banquet
[Illustration]
I wish I could tell you how fine the company was that assembled that
evening at Ozma's royal banquet. A long table was spread in the center
of the great dining-hall of the palace and the splendor of the
decorations and the blaze of lights and jewels was acknowledged to be
the most magnificent sight that any of the guests had ever seen.
The jolliest person present, as well as the most important, was of
course, old Santa Claus; so he was given the seat of honor at one end of
the table while at the other end sat Princess Ozma, the hostess.
John Dough, Queen Zixi, King Bud, the Queen of Ev and her son Evardo,
and the Queen of Merryland had golden thrones to sit in, while the
others were supplied with beautiful chairs.
[Illustration]
At the upper end of the banquet room was a separate table provided for
the animals. Toto sat at one end of this table, with a bib tied around
his neck and a silver platter to eat from. At the other end was placed a
small stand, with a low rail around the edge of it, for Billina and her
chicks. The rail kept the ten little Dorothys from falling off the
stand, while the Yellow Hen could easily reach over and take her food
from her tray upon the table. At other places sat the Hungry Tiger, the
Cowardly Lion, the Saw-Horse, the Rubber Bear, the Fox King and the
Donkey King; they made quite a company of animals.
At the lower end of the great room was another table, at which sat the
Ryls and Knooks who had come with Santa Claus, the wooden soldiers who
had come with the Queen of Merryland, and the Hilanders and Lolanders
who had come with John Dough. Here were also seated the officers of the
royal palace and of Ozma's army.
The splendid costumes of those at the three tables made a gorgeous and
glittering display that no one present was ever likely to forget;
perhaps there has never been in any part of the world at any time
another assemblage of such wonderful people as that which gathered this
evening to honor the birthday of the Ruler of Oz.
When all the members of the company were in their places an orchestra of
five hundred pieces, in a balcony overlooking the banquet room, began to
play sweet and delightful music. Then a door draped with royal green
opened, and in came the fair and girlish Princess Ozma, who now greeted
her guests in person for the first time.
As she stood by her throne at the head of the banquet table every eye
was turned eagerly upon the lovely Princess, who was as dignified as she
was bewitching, and who smiled upon all her old and new friends in a
way that touched their hearts and brought an answering smile to every
face.
Each guest had been served with a crystal goblet filled with lacasa,
which is a sort of nectar famous in Oz and nicer to drink than
soda-water or lemonade. Santa now made a pretty speech in verse,
congratulating Ozma on having a birthday, and asking every one present
to drink to the health and happiness of their dearly beloved hostess.
This was done with great enthusiasm by those who were made so they could
drink at all, and those who could not drink politely touched the rims of
their goblets to their lips. All seated themselves at the tables and the
servants of the Princess began serving the feast.
I am quite sure that only in Fairyland could such a delicious repast be
prepared. The dishes were of precious metals set with brilliant jewels
and the good things to eat which were placed upon them were countless in
number and of exquisite flavor. Several present, such as the Candy Man,
the Rubber Bear, Tik-tok, and the Scarecrow, were not made so they could
eat, and the Queen of Merryland contented herself with a small dish of
sawdust; but these enjoyed the pomp and glitter of the gorgeous scene as
much as did those who feasted.
[Illustration: DRINKING THE HEALTH OF PRINCESS OZMA OF OZ]
The Woggle-Bug read his "Ode to Ozma," which was written in very good
rhythm and was well received by the company. The Wizard added to the
entertainment by making a big pie appear before Dorothy, and when the
little girl cut the pie the nine tiny piglets leaped out of it and
danced around the table, while the orchestra played a merry tune. This
amused the company very much, but they were even more pleased when
Polychrome, whose hunger had been easily satisfied, rose from the table
and performed her graceful and bewildering Rainbow Dance for them. When
it was ended the people clapped their hands and the animals clapped
their paws, while Billina cackled and the Donkey King brayed approval.
Johnny Dooit was present, and of course he proved he could do wonders in
the way of eating, as well as in everything else that he undertook to
do; the Tin Woodman sang a love song, every one joining in the chorus;
and the wooden soldiers from Merryland gave an exhibition of a lightning
drill with their wooden muskets; the Ryls and Knooks danced the Fairy
Circle; and the Rubber Bear bounced himself all around the room. There
was laughter and merriment on every side, and everybody was having a
royal good time. Button-Bright was so excited and interested that he
paid little attention to his fine dinner and a great deal of attention
to his queer companions; and perhaps he was wise to do this, because he
could eat at any other time.
The feasting and merrymaking continued until late in the evening, when
they separated to meet again the next morning and take part in the
birthday celebration, to which this royal banquet was merely the
introduction.
[Illustration]
The Birthday Celebration
[Illustration]
A clear, perfect day, with a gentle breeze and a sunny sky, greeted
Princess Ozma as she wakened next morning, the anniversary of her birth.
While it was yet early all the city was astir and crowds of people came
from all parts of the Land of Oz to witness the festivities in honor of
their girl Ruler's birthday.
The noted visitors from foreign countries, who had all been transported
to the Emerald City by means of the Magic Belt, were as much a show to
the Ozites as were their own familiar celebrities, and the streets
leading from the royal palace to the jeweled gates were thronged with
men, women, and children to see the procession as it passed out to the
green fields where the ceremonies were to take place.
And what a great procession it was!
First came a thousand young girls--the prettiest in the land--dressed in
white muslin, with green sashes and hair ribbons, bearing great baskets
of red roses. As they walked they scattered these flowers upon the
marble pavements, so that the way was carpeted thick with roses for the
procession to walk upon.
Then came the Rulers of the four Kingdoms of Oz; the Emperor of the
Winkies, the Monarch of the Munchkins, the King of the Quadlings and the
Sovereign of the Gillikins, each wearing a long chain of emeralds around
his neck to show that he was a vassal of the Ruler of the Emerald City.
Next marched the Emerald City Cornet Band, clothed in green-and-gold
uniforms and playing the "Ozma Two-Step." The Royal Army of Oz followed,
consisting of twenty-seven officers, from the Captain-General down to
the Lieutenants. There were no privates in Ozma's Army because soldiers
were not needed to fight battles, but only to look important, and an
officer always looks more imposing than a private.
While the people cheered and waved their hats and handkerchiefs, there
came walking the Royal Princess Ozma, looking so pretty and sweet that
it is no wonder her people love her so dearly. She had decided she
would not ride in her chariot that day, as she preferred to walk in the
procession with her favored subjects and her guests. Just in front of
her trotted the living Blue Bear Rug owned by old Dyna, which wobbled
clumsily on its four feet because there was nothing but the skin to
support them, with a stuffed head at one end and a stubby tail at the
other. But whenever Ozma paused in her walk the Bear Rug would flop down
flat upon the ground for the princess to stand upon until she resumed
her progress.
Following the Princess stalked her two enormous beasts, the Cowardly
Lion and the Hungry Tiger, and even if the Army had not been there these
two would have been powerful enough to guard their mistress from any
harm.
Next marched the invited guests, who were loudly cheered by the people
of Oz along the road, and were therefore obliged to bow to right and
left almost every step of the way. First was Santa Claus, who, because
he was fat and not used to walking, rode the wonderful Saw-Horse. The
merry old gentleman had a basket of small toys with him, and he tossed
the toys one by one to the children as he passed by. His Ryls and Knooks
marched close behind him.
Queen Zixi of Ix came after; then John Dough and the Cherub, with the
rubber bear named Para Bruin strutting between them on its hind legs;
then the Queen of Merryland, escorted by her wooden soldiers; then King
Bud of Noland and his sister, the Princess Fluff; then the Queen of Ev
and her ten royal children; then the Braided Man and the Candy Man, side
by side; then King Dox of Foxville and King Kik-a-bray of Dunkiton, who
by this time had become good friends; and finally Johnny Dooit, in his
leather apron, smoking his long pipe.
[Illustration:]
These wonderful personages were not more heartily cheered by the people
than were those who followed after them in the procession. Dorothy was a
general favorite, and she walked arm in arm with the Scarecrow, who was
beloved by all. Then came Polychrome and Button-Bright, and the people
loved the Rainbow's pretty Daughter and the beautiful blue-eyed boy as
soon as they saw them. The shaggy man in his shaggy new suit attracted
much attention because he was such a novelty. With regular steps tramped
the machine-man Tik-tok, and there was more cheering when the Wizard of
Oz followed in the procession. The Woggle-Bug and Jack Pumpkinhead were
next, and behind them Glinda the Sorceress and the Good Witch of the
North. Finally came Billina, with her brood of chickens to whom she
clucked anxiously to keep them together and to hasten them along so they
would not delay the procession.
Another band followed, this time the Tin Band of the Emperor of the
Winkies, playing a beautiful march called, "There's No Plate like Tin."
Then came the servants of the Royal Palace, in a long line, and behind
them all the people joined the procession and marched away through the
emerald gates and out upon the broad green.
Here had been erected a splendid pavilion, with a grandstand big enough
to seat all the royal party and those who had taken part in the
procession. Over the pavilion, which was of green silk and cloth of
gold, countless banners waved in the breeze. Just in front of this, and
connected with it by a runway, had been built a broad platform, so that
all the spectators could see plainly the entertainment provided for
them.
The Wizard now became Master of Ceremonies, as Ozma had placed the
conduct of the performance in his hands. After the people had all
congregated about the platform and the royal party and the visitors were
seated in the grandstand, the Wizard skillfully performed some feats of
juggling glass balls and lighted candles. He tossed a dozen or so of
them high in the air and caught them one by one as they came down,
without missing any.
Then he introduced the Scarecrow, who did a sword-swallowing act that
aroused much interest. After this the Tin Woodman gave an exhibition of
Swinging the Axe, which he made to whirl around him so rapidly that the
eye could scarcely follow the motion of the gleaming blade. Glinda the
Sorceress then stepped upon the platform, and by her magic made a big
tree grow in the middle of the space, made blossoms appear upon the
tree, and made the blossoms become delicious fruit called tamornas; and
so great was the quantity of fruit thus produced that when the servants
climbed the tree and tossed it down to the crowd, there was enough to
satisfy every person present.
Para Bruin, the rubber bear, climbed to a limb of the big tree, rolled
himself into a ball, and dropped to the platform, whence he bounded up
again to the limb. He repeated this bouncing act several times, to the
great delight of all the children present. After he had finished, and
bowed, and returned to his seat, Glinda waved her wand and the tree
disappeared; but its fruit still remained to be eaten.
The Good Witch of the North amused the people by transforming ten stones
into ten birds, the ten birds into ten lambs, and the ten lambs into ten
little girls, who gave a pretty dance and were then transformed into ten
stones again, just as they were in the beginning.
Johnny Dooit next came on the platform with his tool-chest, and in a few
minutes built a great flying machine; then put his chest in the machine
and the whole thing flew away together--Johnny and all--after he had bid
good-bye to those present and thanked the Princess for her hospitality.
[Illustration]
The Wizard then announced the last act of all, which was considered
really wonderful. He had invented a machine to blow huge soap-bubbles,
as big as balloons, and this machine was hidden under the platform so
that only the rim of the big clay pipe to produce the bubbles showed
above the flooring. The tank of soap-suds, and the air-pumps to inflate
the bubbles, were out of sight beneath, so that when the bubbles began
to grow upon the floor of the platform it really seemed like magic to
the people of Oz, who knew nothing about even the common soap-bubbles
that our children blow with a penny clay pipe and a basin of
soap-and-water.
The Wizard had invented another thing. Usually soap-bubbles are frail
and burst easily, lasting only a few moments as they float in the air;
but the Wizard added a sort of glue to his soapsuds, which made his
bubbles tough; and, as the glue dried rapidly when exposed to the air,
the Wizard's bubbles were strong enough to float for hours without
breaking.
He began by blowing--by means of his machinery and air-pumps--several
large bubbles which he allowed to float upward into the sky, where the
sunshine fell upon them and gave them iridescent hues that were most
beautiful. This aroused much wonder and delight, because it was a new
amusement to every one present--except perhaps Dorothy and
Button-Bright, and even they had never seen such big, strong bubbles
before.
[Illustration: THE WIZARD BLEW A BUBBLE AROUND SANTA CLAUS]
The Wizard then blew a bunch of small bubbles and afterward blew a big
bubble around them so they were left in the center of it; then he
allowed the whole mass of pretty globes to float into the air and
disappear in the far distant sky.
"That is really fine!" declared Santa Claus, who loved toys and pretty
things. "I think, Mr. Wizard, I shall have you blow a bubble around me;
then I can float away home and see the country spread out beneath me as
I travel. There isn't a spot on earth that I haven't visited, but I
usually go in the night-time, riding behind my swift reindeer. Here is a
good chance to observe the country by daylight, while I am riding slowly
and at my ease."
"Do you think you will be able to guide the bubble?" asked the Wizard.
"Oh yes; I know enough magic to do that," replied Santa Claus. "You blow
the bubble, with me inside of it, and I'll be sure to get home in
safety."
"Please send me home in a bubble, too!" begged the Queen of Merryland.
"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 a big 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 a southerly direction, quickly floating out of sight.
"That's a very nice way to travel," said Princess Fluff. "I'd like to go
home in a bubble, too."
So the Wizard blew a big bubble around Princess Fluff, and another
around King Bud, her brother, and a third one around Queen Zixi; and
soon these three bubbles had mounted into the sky and were floating off
in a group 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 a big, 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 a sigh, 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 a pleasant journey.
"Are you glad to leave us, dear?" asked Dorothy, a little 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 a beautiful bubble all around him.
A minute 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 a bubble, 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 a bubble
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 the
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 a sudden
radiance filled the air, and while the people looked on in wonder the
end of a gorgeous rainbow slowly settled down upon the platform.
With a glad 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 a cloud and
blended with the colors of the rainbow itself.
[Illustration: "GOOD-BYE, OZMA! GOOD-BYE, DOROTHY!"]
"Good-bye, Ozma! Good-bye, Dorothy!" cried a voice 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 a breeze. 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 a cloud
fairy."
"No, indeed," replied the Princess; "but it has been delightful for us
to know Polychrome for a little 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 a time, 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 a nice quiet dinner together and passed a pleasant 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 farmhouse 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.