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I hear you have decided always to live in the Land of Oz, after this," he

said to Dorothy; "and that will delight my heart, for I have greatly

disliked our frequent partings. But why are you all so downcast?"

Have you heard the news?" asked the Tin Woodman.

No news to make me sad," replied the Scarecrow.

Then Nick Chopper told his friend of the Nome King's tunnel, and how

the evil creatures of the North had allied themselves with the

underground monarch for the purpose of conquering and destroying Oz.

Well," said the Scarecrow, "it certainly looks bad for Ozma, and all of us.

But I believe it is wrong to worry over anything before it happens. It is

surely time enough to be sad when our country is despoiled and our

people made slaves. So let us not deprive ourselves of the few happy

hours remaining to us."

Ah! that is real wisdom," declared the Shaggy Man, approvingly. "After

we become really unhappy we shall regret these few hours that are left to

us, unless we enjoy them to the utmost."

Nevertheless," said the Scarecrow, "I shall go with you to the Emerald

City and offer Ozma my services."

She says we can do nothing to oppose our enemies," announced the Tin

Woodman.

And doubtless she is right, sir," answered the Scarecrow. "Still, she will

appreciate our sympathy, and it is the duty of Ozma's friends to stand by

her side when the final disaster occurs."

He then led them into his queer mansion and showed them the beautiful

rooms in all the five stories. The lower room was a grand reception hall,

with a hand-organ in one corner. This instrument the Scarecrow, when

alone, could turn to amuse himself, as he was very fond of music. The

walls were hung with white silk, upon which flocks of black crows were

embroidered in black diamonds. Some of the chairs were made in the

shape of big crows and upholstered with cushions of corn-colored silk.

The second story contained a fine banquet room, where the Scarecrow

might entertain his guests, and the three stories above that were bed-

chambers exquisitely furnished and decorated.

The Emerald City of Oz