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"What time is it?" demanded the King suddenly. He touched a bell, and next

minute a whole company of clocks came running down the street. The big

ones pushed the little ones, and a grandfather clock ran so fast that it

tripped over a cobblestone and fell on its face, which cracked all the way

across.

"You've plenty of time; why don't you take it?" called the King angrily, while

two clothes trees helped the clock to its feet.

They're all different," giggled Dorothy, nudging the Cowardly Lion. Some

pointed to eight o'clock, some to nine, and others to half past ten.

"Why shouldn't they be different?" asked Sticken haughtily. "Some run

faster than others!"

"Pass the time, please," said the King, looking hard at Dorothy.

The lazy lump!" growled the Cowardly Lion. But Dorothy picked up the

nearest little clock and handed it to King Fix Sit.

"I thought so," yawned the King, pointing at the clock. At this, everybody

began ringing bells till Dorothy was obliged to cover her ears. In an instant,

the whole street was filled with beds, "rolling up just as if they were taxis,"

laughed Dorothy to Sir Hokus. The Knight smiled faintly, but as he had

never seen a taxi, he could not appreciate Dorothy's remark.

Here come your beds," said the King shortly. "Tell them to take you around

the corner. I can't abide snoring."

"I don't snore, thank you," said Dorothy angrily, but the King had stepped

into his bed and drawn the curtains tight.

We might as well go to bed, I 'spose," said the little girl. "I'm so tired!"

The three beds were swaying restlessly in the middle of the street. They were

tall, four-post affairs with heavy chintz hangings. Dorothy chose the blue

one, and Sir Hokus lifted her up carefully and then went off to catch his

bed, which had gotten into an argument with a lamppost. When he spoke to

it sharply, it left off and came trotting over to him. The Cowardly Lion,

contrary to his usual custom, leaped into his bed, and soon the three four-

posters were walking quietly down the street, evidently following the King's

instructions.

The Royal Book of Oz