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7. How Aunt Em Conquered the Lion

These are your rooms," said Dorothy, opening a door.

Aunt Em drew back at the sight of the splendid furniture and draperies.

Ain't there any place to wipe my feet?" she asked.

You will soon change your slippers for new shoes," replied Dorothy.

Don't be afraid, Aunt Em. Here is where you are to live, so walk right in

and make yourself at home."

Aunt Em advanced hesitatingly.

It beats the Topeka Hotel!" she cried admiringly. "But this place is too

grand for us, child. Can't we have some back room in the attic, that's

more in our class?"

No," said Dorothy. "You've got to live here, 'cause Ozma says so. And all

the rooms in this palace are just as fine as these, and some are better. It

won't do any good to fuss, Aunt Em. You've got to be swell and high-

toned in the Land of Oz, whether you want to or not; so you may as well

make up your mind to it."

It's hard luck," replied her aunt, looking around with an awed

expression; "but folks can get used to anything, if they try. Eh, Henry?"

Why, as to that," said Uncle Henry, slowly, "I b'lieve in takin' what's

pervided us, an' askin' no questions. I've traveled some, Em, in my time,

and you hain't; an' that makes a difference atween us."

Then Dorothy showed them through the rooms. The first was a

handsome sitting-room, with windows opening upon the rose gardens.

Then came separate bedrooms for Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, with a fine

bathroom between them. Aunt Em had a pretty dressing room, besides,

and Dorothy opened the closets and showed several exquisite costumes

that had been provided for her aunt by the royal dressmakers, who had

worked all night to get them ready. Everything that Aunt Em could

possibly need was in the drawers and closets, and her dressing-table was

covered with engraved gold toilet articles.

Uncle Henry had nine suits of clothes, cut in the popular Munchkin

fashion, with knee-breeches, silk stockings, and low shoes with jeweled

The Emerald City of Oz