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now wore the animal head; but Dorothy cuffed the dog and made him stop.

As for the foxes, they all seemed to think Button-Bright's new head very

becoming and that their King had conferred a great honor on this little

stranger. It was funny to see the boy reach up to feel of his sharp nose and

wide mouth, and wail afresh with grief. He wagged his ears in a comical

manner and tears were in his little black eyes. But Dorothy couldn't laugh at

her friend just yet, because she felt so sorry.

Just then three little fox-princesses, daughters of the King, entered the room,

and when they saw Button-Bright one exclaimed: "How lovely he is!" and the

next one cried in delight: "How sweet he is!" and the third princess clapped

her hands with pleasure and said, "How beautiful he is!"

Button-Bright stopped crying and asked timidly:

Am I?"

In all the world there is not another face so pretty," declared the biggest fox-

princess.

You must live with us always, and be our brother," said the next.

We shall all love you dearly," the third said.

This praise did much to comfort the boy, and he looked around and tried to

smile. It was a pitiful attempt, because the fox face was new and stiff, and

Dorothy thought his expression more stupid than before the transformation.

I think we ought to be going now," said the shaggy man, uneasily, for he

didn't know what the King might take into his head to do next.

Don't leave us yet, I beg of you," pleaded King Renard. "I intend to have

several days of feasting and merry-making in honor of your visit."

Have it after we're gone, for we can't wait," said Dorothy, decidedly. But

seeing this displeased the King, she added: "If I'm going to get Ozma to invite

you to her party I'll have to find her as soon as poss'ble, you know."

In spite of all the beauty of Foxville and the gorgeous dresses of its

inhabitants, both the girl and the shaggy man felt they were not quite safe

there, and would be glad to see the last of it.

But it is now evening," the King reminded them, "and you must stay with us

until morning, anyhow. Therefore, I invite you to be my guests at dinner, and

The Road to Oz