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I positively forbid it!"

Then I shall have no work!" screamed the drummer, falling on his face. "Ah,

Gracious Master, don't you remember me?"

"Yes," said the Scarecrow kindly, "who are you?"

"Oh, don't you remember little Happy Toko?" wheezed the little man, the

tears rolling down his cheeks. "I was only a boy, but you used to be fond of

me."

"Why, of course, my dear Tappy," said the Scarecrow, not liking to hurt the

little fellow's feelings. "But why do you beat the drum?"

It is customary to sound the drum at the approach of your Royal Highness,"

put in the Grand Chew Chew importantly.

Was customary," said the Scarecrow firmly. "My dear Tappy Oko, never

sound it in my presence again; it is too upsetting." Which was true enough,

for one blow of the drum sent the flimsy Scarecrow flying into the air.

"You're dismissed, Happy," snapped the Grand Chew Chew. At this, the little

Silver Islander began weeping and roaring with distress.

"Stop! What else can you do besides beat a drum?" asked the Scarecrow

kindly.

"I can sing, stand on my head, and tell jokes," sniffed Happy Toko, shuffling

from one foot to the other.

Very good," said the Scarecrow. "You are henceforth Imperial Punster to my

Person. Come along, we're going to look over the Island."

The Grand Chew Chew frowned so terribly that Happy Toko's knees shook

with terror.

"It is not fitting for a slave to accompany the Grand Chew Chew and the

Emperor," he hissed angrily.

The Scarecrow looked surprised, for the Kingdom of Oz is quite democratic,

and no one is considered better than another. But seeing this was not the

time to argue, he winked broadly behind the Grand Chew Chew's back.

"I'll see you again, Tappy my boy," he called genially, and passed out into

the garden, where a magnificent silver palanquin, surrounded by pikemen

and shieldbearers, awaited him.

The Royal Book of Oz