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You might have been more careful of that fan," growled the Cowardly Lion

reproachfully, plucking thorns from his hide. The Comfortable Camel was so

overjoyed to see the Knight that he rested his head on Sir Hokus's shoulder

and began weeping down his armor.

And now that their adventures seemed really over, what explanations were

to be made! Sitting on the top step of the palace with all of them around her,

Dorothy told the whole wonderful story of the Scarecrow's family tree. When

her breath gave out, the Scarecrow took up the tale himself, and as they all

realized how nearly they had lost their jolly comrade, many of the party shed

real tears. Indeed, Nick Chopper hugged the Scarecrow till there was not a

whole straw in his body.

"Never leave us again," begged Ozma, and the Scarecrow, crossing Nick

Chopper's heart (he had none of his own), promised that he never would.

And what a welcome they gave Sir Hokus, the Doubtful Dromedary and the

Comfortable Camel! Only Professor Wogglebug seemed disturbed. During the

strange recital, he had grown quieter and quieter and finally, with an

embarrassed cough, had excused himself and hurried into the palace.

He went directly to the study, and seating himself at a desk opened a large

book, none other than The Royal Book of Oz. Dipping an emerald pen in the

ink, he began a new chapter headed thus:

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, THE SCARECROW

Late Emperor and Imperial Sovereign of

Silver Island

Then, flipping over several pages to a chapter headed "Princess Dorothy!", he

wrote carefully at the end, "Dorothy, Princess and Royal Discoverer of Oz."

Meanwhile, below stairs, the Scarecrow was distributing his gifts. There

were silver chains for everyone in the palace and shining silver slippers for

Ozma, Betsy Bobbin, Trot and Dorothy, and a bottle of silver polish for Nick

Chopper.

Dorothy presented Ozma with the magic fan and parasol, and they were

safely put away by Jellia Jamb with the other magic treasures of Oz.

Next, because they were all curious to see the Scarecrow's wonderful

Kingdom, they hurried upstairs to look in the Magic Picture.

"Show us the Emperor of Silver Island," commanded Ozma. Immediately the

beautiful silver throne room appeared. Happy Toko had removed his

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