The Magic of Oz

relations, two kindly old people who had a cozy home in the Emerald City

and were very happy and contented there. Then Betsy Bobbin was seated,

and next to her the droll and delightful Shaggy Man, who was a favorite

wherever he went.

On the other side of the table, opposite the Tin Woodman was placed

Trot, and next to her, Cap'n Bill. Then was seated Button-Bright and Ojo

the Lucky, and Dr. Pipt and his good wife Margalot, and the astonishing

Frogman, who had come from the Yip country to be present at Ozma's

birthday feast.

At the foot of the table, facing Ozma, was seated the queenly Glinda,

the good Sorceress of Oz, for this was really the place of honor next to the

head of the table where Ozma herself sat. On Glinda's right was the Little

Wizard of Oz, who owed to Glinda all of the magical arts he knew. Then

came Jinjur, a pretty girl farmer of whom Ozma and Dorothy were quite

fond. The adjoining seat was occupied by the Tin Soldier, and next to him

was Professor H. M. Wogglebug, T.E., of the Royal Athletic College.

On Glinda's left was placed the jolly Patchwork Girl, who was a little

afraid of the Sorceress and so was likely to behave herself pretty well. The

Shaggy Man's brother was beside the Patchwork Girl, and then came that

interesting personage, Jack Pumpkinhead, who had grown a splendid big

pumpkin for a new head to be worn on Ozma's birthday, and had carved a

face on it that was even jollier in expression than the one he had last worn.

New heads were not unusual with Jack, for the pumpkins did not keep

long, and when the seeds--which served him as brains--began to get soft

and mushy, he realized his head would soon spoil, and so he procured a

new one from his great field of pumpkins--grown by him so that he need

never lack a head.

You will have noticed that the company at Ozma's banquet table was

somewhat mixed, but every one invited was a tried and trusted friend of

the girl Ruler, and their presence made her quite happy.

No sooner had Ozma seated herself, with her back to the birthday table,

than she noticed that all present were eyeing with curiosity and pleasure

something behind her, for the gorgeous Magic Flower was blooming

114