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arms around the huge lion's neck, hugging and kissing the beast with evident
joy.
"
Oh, I'm SO glad to see you again!" cried the little Kansas girl. "And the
Hungry Tiger, too! How fine you're both looking. Are you well and happy?"
"
We certainly are, Dorothy," answered the Lion, in a deep voice that sounded
pleasant and kind; "and we are greatly pleased that you have come to Ozma's
party. It's going to be a grand affair, I promise you."
"
There will be lots of fat babies at the celebration, I hear," remarked the
Hungry Tiger, yawning so that his mouth opened dreadfully wide and showed
all his big, sharp teeth; "but of course I can't eat any of 'em."
"
Is your Conscience still in good order?" asked Dorothy, anxiously.
"
Yes; it rules me like a tyrant," answered the Tiger, sorrowfully. "I can imagine
nothing more unpleasant than to own a Conscience," and he winked slyly at
his friend the Lion.
"
You're fooling me!" said Dorothy, with a laugh. "I don't b'lieve you'd eat a
baby if you lost your Conscience. Come here, Polly," she called, "and be
introduced to my friends."
Polly advanced rather shyly.
"
You have some queer friends, Dorothy," she said.
"
"
The queerness doesn't matter so long as they're friends," was the answer.
This is the Cowardly Lion, who isn't a coward at all, but just thinks he is.
The Wizard gave him some courage once, and he has part of it left."
The Lion bowed with great dignity to Polly.
"
You are very lovely, my dear," said he. "I hope we shall be friends when we
are better acquainted."
"
And this is the Hungry Tiger," continued Dorothy. "He says he longs to eat
fat babies; but the truth is he is never hungry at all, 'cause he gets plenty to
eat; and I don't s'pose he'd hurt anybody even if he WAS hungry."
"
Hush, Dorothy," whispered the Tiger; "you'll ruin my reputation if you are not
more discreet. It isn't what we are, but what folks think we are, that counts in
this world. And come to think of it Miss Polly would make a fine variegated
breakfast, I'm sure."
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