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If no one can throw any light on this subject you must excuse me if I go

out."

At this, a big kitchen fork pricked up its ears and said in a tiny voice:

Let's hear from Judge Sifter."

That's proper," returned the King.

So Judge Sifter turned around slowly several times and then said:

We have nothing against the girl except the stove-hearth upon which

she sits. Therefore I order her instantly discharged."

Discharged!" cried Dorothy. "Why, I never was discharged in my life,

and I don't intend to be. If it's all the same to you, I'll resign."

It's all the same," declared the King. "You are free--you and your

companions--and may go wherever you like."

Thank you," said the little girl. "But haven't you anything to eat in your

kingdom? I'm hungry."

Go into the woods and pick blackberries," advised the King, lying down

upon his back again and preparing to go to sleep. "There isn't a morsel

to eat in all Utensia, that I know of."

So Dorothy jumped up and said:

Come on, Toto and Billina. If we can't find the camp, we may find some

blackberries."

The utensils drew back and allowed them to pass without protest,

although Captain Dipp marched the Spoon Brigade in close order after

them until they had reached the edge of the clearing.

There the spoons halted; but Dorothy and her companions entered the

forest again and began searching diligently for a way back to the camp,

that they might rejoin their party.

The Emerald City of Oz