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Here everything that was dear to a little girl's heart was supplied in

profusion, and nothing so rich and beautiful could ever have been found

in the biggest department stores in America. Of course Dorothy enjoyed

all these luxuries, and the only reason she had heretofore preferred to

live in Kansas was because her uncle and aunt loved her and needed her

with them.

Now, however, all was to be changed, and Dorothy was really more

delighted to know that her dear relatives were to share in her good

fortune and enjoy the delights of the Land of Oz, than she was to possess

such luxury for herself.

Next morning, at Ozma's request, Dorothy dressed herself in a pretty

sky-blue gown of rich silk, trimmed with real pearls. The buckles of her

shoes were set with pearls, too, and more of these priceless gems were on

a lovely coronet which she wore upon her forehead. "For," said her friend

Ozma, "from this time forth, my dear, you must assume your rightful

rank as a Princess of Oz, and being my chosen companion you must

dress in a way befitting the dignity of your position."

Dorothy agreed to this, although she knew that neither gowns nor jewels

could make her anything else than the simple, unaffected little girl she

had always been.

As soon as they had breakfasted--the girls eating together in Ozma's

pretty boudoir--the Ruler of Oz said:

Now, dear friend, we will use the Magic Belt to transport your uncle and

aunt from Kansas to the Emerald City. But I think it would be fitting, in

receiving such distinguished guests, for us to sit in my Throne Room."

Oh, they're not very 'stinguished, Ozma," said Dorothy. "They're just

plain people, like me."

Being your friends and relatives, Princess Dorothy, they are certainly

distinguished," replied the Ruler, with a smile.

They--they won't hardly know what to make of all your splendid

furniture and things," protested Dorothy, gravely. "It may scare 'em to

see your grand Throne Room, an' p'raps we'd better go into the back

yard, Ozma, where the cabbages grow an' the chickens are playing. Then

it would seem more natural to Uncle Henry and Aunt Em."

The Emerald City of Oz