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14. Tik-Tok and Billina
They had not walked far across the flower-strewn meadows when they came
upon a fine road leading toward the northwest and winding gracefully among
the pretty yellow hills.
"
That way," said Dorothy, "must be the direction of the Emerald City. We'd
better follow the road until we meet some one or come to a house."
The sun soon dried Button-Bright's sailor suit and the shaggy man's shaggy
clothes, and so pleased were they at regaining their own heads that they did
not mind at all the brief discomfort of getting wet.
"
It's good to be able to whistle again," remarked the shaggy man, "for those
donkey lips were so thick I could not whistle a note with them." He warbled a
tune as merrily as any bird.
"
You'll look more natural at the birthday celebration, too," said Dorothy,
happy in seeing her friends so happy.
Polychrome was dancing ahead in her usual sprightly manner, whirling gaily
along the smooth, level road, until she passed from sight around the curve of
one of the mounds. Suddenly they heard her exclaim "Oh!" and she appeared
again, running toward them at full speed.
"
What's the matter, Polly?" asked Dorothy, perplexed.
There was no need for the Rainbow's Daughter to answer, for turning the bend
in the road there came advancing slowly toward them a funny round man
made of burnished copper, gleaming brightly in the sun. Perched on the
copper man's shoulder sat a yellow hen, with fluffy feathers and a pearl
necklace around her throat.
"
Oh, Tik-tok!" cried Dorothy, running forward. When she came to him, the
copper man lifted the little girl in his copper arms and kissed her cheek with
his copper lips.
"
Oh, Billina!" cried Dorothy, in a glad voice, and the yellow hen flew to her
arms, to be hugged and petted by turns.
The others were curiously crowding around the group, and the girl said to
them:
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