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"
He looks very feeble, Too Fang, but may he live long to rule this flowery
island and our humble selves!" said the second Prince, bowing stiffly.
"Do you not find the affairs of state fatiguing, darling papa?" inquired the
third Prince, fingering a jeweled chain that hung around his neck.
"I, as your eldest son, shall be delighted to relieve you should you wish to
retire. Get back ten paces, you!" he roared at Happy Toko.
The poor Scarecrow had been so taken aback by this cool reception that he
just stared in disbelief.
"
If the three honorable Princes will retire themselves, I will speak with my
grandsons," he said dryly, bowing in his most royal manner. The three
Princes exchanged startled glances. Then, with three low salaams, they
retired backward from the hall.
"And now, my dears--!" The Scarecrow looked wistfully at his fifteen silken-
clad little grandsons. Their silver hair, plaited tightly into little queues, stood
out stiffly on each side of their heads and gave them a very curious
appearance. At his first word, the fifteen fell dutifully on their noses. As soon
as they were right side up, the Scarecrow, beginning at the end of the row,
addressed a joking question to each in his most approved Oz style. But over
they went again, and answered merely:
"
Yes, gracious Grand-papapapah!" or "No honorable Grandpapapapah!" And
the constant bobbing up and down and papahing so confused the poor
Scarecrow that he nearly gave up the conversation.
"It's no use trying to talk to these children," he wailed in disgust, "they're so
solemn. Don't you ever laugh?" he cried in exasperation, for he had told
them stories that would have sent the Oz youngsters into hysterics.
"It is not permissible for a Prince to laugh at the remarks of his honorable
grandparent," whispered Happy Toko, while the fifteen little Princes banged
their heads solemnly on the floor.
"Honorable fiddlesticks!" exclaimed the Scarecrow, slumping back on his
throne. "Bring cushions." Happy Toko ran off nimbly, and soon the fifteen
little Princes were seated in a circle at the Scarecrow's feet. "To prevent
prostrations," said the Scarecrow.
"
Yes, old Grandpapapapapah!" chorused the Princes, bending over as far as
they could.
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