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By gum!" gasped Uncle Henry, looking around as if bewildered.

Well, I swan!" gurgled Aunt Em in a hoarse, frightened voice. Then her

eyes fell upon Dorothy, and she said: "D-d-d-don't that look like our little

girl--our Dorothy, Henry?"

Hi, there--look out, Em!" exclaimed the old man, as Aunt Em advanced

a step; "take care o' the wild beastses, or you're a goner!"

But now Dorothy sprang forward and embraced and kissed her aunt and

uncle affectionately, afterward taking their hands in her own.

Don't be afraid," she said to them. "You are now in the Land of Oz,

where you are to live always, and be comfer'ble an' happy. You'll never

have to worry over anything again, 'cause there won't be anything to

worry about. And you owe it all to the kindness of my friend Princess

Ozma."

Here she led them before the throne and continued:

Your Highness, this is Uncle Henry. And this is Aunt Em. They want to

thank you for bringing them here from Kansas."

Aunt Em tried to "slick" her hair, and she hid the dish-towel and dish

under her apron while she bowed to the lovely Ozma. Uncle Henry took

off his straw hat and held it awkwardly in his hands.

But the Ruler of Oz rose and came from her throne to greet her newly

arrived guests, and she smiled as sweetly upon them as if they had been

a king and queen.

You are very welcome here, where I have brought you for Princess

Dorothy's sake," she said, graciously, "and I hope you will be quite happy

in your new home." Then she turned to her courtiers, who were silently

and gravely regarding the scene, and added: "I present to my people our

Princess Dorothy's beloved Uncle Henry and Aunt Em, who will hereafter

be subjects of our kingdom. It will please me to have you show them

every kindness and honor in your power, and to join me in making them

happy and contented."

Hearing this, all those assembled bowed low and respectfully to the old

farmer and his wife, who bobbed their own heads in return.

The Emerald City of Oz