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Wait a minute, dear," interrupted the little girl; "I've got to introduce you all,

first. That's manners, Billina. This," turning to her traveling companions, "is

Mr. Tik-tok, who works by machinery 'cause his thoughts wind up, and his

talk winds up, and his action winds up--like a clock."

Do they all wind up together?" asked the shaggy man.

No; each one separate. But he works just lovely, and Tik-tok was a good

friend to me once, and saved my life--and Billina's life, too."

Is he alive?" asked Button-Bright, looking hard at the copper man.

Oh, no, but his machinery makes him just as good as alive." She turned to

the copper man and said politely: "Mr. Tik-tok, these are my new friends: the

shaggy man, and Polly the Rainbow's Daughter, and Button-Bright, and Toto.

Only Toto isn't a new friend, 'cause he's been to Oz before."

The copper man bowed low, removing his copper hat as he did so.

I'm ve-ry pleased to meet Dor-o-thy's fr-r-r-r---" Here he stopped short.

Oh, I guess his speech needs winding!" said the little girl, running behind the

copper man to get the key off a hook at his back. She wound him up at a

place under his right arm and he went on to say:

Par-don me for run-ning down. I was a-bout to say I am pleased to meet Dor-

o-thy's friends, who must be my friends." The words were somewhat jerky,

but plain to understand.

And this is Billina," continued Dorothy, introducing the yellow hen, and they

all bowed to her in turn.

I've such wonderful news," said the hen, turning her head so that one bright

eye looked full at Dorothy.

What is it, dear?" asked the girl.

I've hatched out ten of the loveliest chicks you ever saw."

Oh, how nice! And where are they, Billina?"

I left them at home. But they're beauties, I assure you, and all wonderfully

clever. I've named them Dorothy."

Which one?" asked the girl.

The Road to Oz