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Good! Hee-haw! Excellent!" cried Kik-a-bray, much pleased. "You shall all

have fine suppers and good beds. What food would you prefer, a bran mash

or ripe oats in the shell?"

Neither one," replied Dorothy, promptly.

Perhaps plain hay, or some sweet juicy grass would suit you better,"

suggested Kik-a-bray, musingly.

Is that all you have to eat?" asked the girl.

What more do you desire?"

Well, you see we're not donkeys," she explained, "and so we're used to other

food. The foxes gave us a nice supper in Foxville."

We'd like some dewdrops and mist-cakes," said Polychrome.

I'd prefer apples and a ham sandwich," declared the shaggy man, "for

although I've a donkey head, I still have my own particular stomach."

I want pie," said Button-Bright.

I think some beefsteak and chocolate layer-cake would taste best," said

Dorothy.

Hee-haw! I declare!" exclaimed the King. "It seems each one of you wants a

different food. How queer all living creatures are, except donkeys!"

And donkeys like you are queerest of all," laughed Polychrome.

Well," decided the King, "I suppose my Magic Staff will produce the things you

crave; if you are lacking in good taste it is not my fault."

With this, he waved his staff with the jeweled ball, and before them instantly

appeared a tea-table, set with linen and pretty dishes, and on the table were

the very things each had wished for. Dorothy's beefsteak was smoking hot,

and the shaggy man's apples were plump and rosy-cheeked. The King had

not thought to provide chairs, so they all stood in their places around the

table and ate with good appetite, being hungry. The Rainbow's Daughter

found three tiny dewdrops on a crystal plate, and Button-Bright had a big

slice of apple pie, which he devoured eagerly.

Afterward the King called the brown donkey, which was his favorite servant,

and bade it lead his guests to the vacant house where they were to pass the

The Road to Oz