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The company were staring at him solemnly, and as he attempted to rise,

they fell prostrate on their faces. Up flew the poor flimsy Scarecrow again,

such was the draught, and this time landed on his face. He was beginning to

feel terribly annoyed, but before he could open his mouth or stand up, a

deep voice boomed:

He has come!"

He has come!" shrilled the rest of the company, thumping their heads on

the stone floor. The language seemed strange to the Scarecrow, but oddly

enough, he could understand it perfectly. Keeping a tight grasp on the bean

pole, he gazed at the prostrate assemblage, too astonished to speak. They

looked exactly like the pictures of some Chinamen he had seen in one of

Dorothy's picture books back in Oz, but instead of being yellow, their skin

was a curious gray, and the hair of old and young alike was silver and worn

in long, stiff queues. Before he had time to observe any more, an old, old

courtier hobbled forward and beckoned imperiously to a page at the door.

The page immediately unfurled a huge silk umbrella and, running forward,

held it over the Scarecrow's head.

Welcome home, sublime and noble Ancestor! Welcome, honorable and

exalted Sir." The old gentleman made several deep salaams.

Welcome, immortal and illustrious Ancestor! Welcome, ancient and serene

Father!" cried the others, banging their heads hard on the floor--so hard

that their queues flew into the air.

"Ancestor! Father!" mumbled the Scarecrow in a puzzled voice. Then,

collecting himself somewhat, he made a deep bow, and sweeping off his hat

with a truly royal gesture began: "I am indeed honored--" But he got no

farther. The silken clad courtiers sprang to their feet in a frenzy of joy. A

dozen seized him bodily and carried him to a great silver throne room.

"The same beautiful voice!" cried the ancient gentleman, clasping his hands

in an ecstasy of feeling.

"It is he! The Emperor! The Emperor has returned! Long live the Emperor!"

shouted everyone at once. The confusion grew worse and worse.

Ancestor! Father! Emperor!" The Scarecrow could scarcely believe his ears.

For a fallen man, I am rising like yeast!" he murmured to himself. Half a

dozen courtiers had run outdoors to spread the wonderful news, and soon

silver gongs and bells began ringing all over the kingdom, and cries of "The

Emperor! The Emperor!" added to the general excitement. Holding fast to the

The Royal Book of Oz