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Chapter Twenty-Four

The Royal Reception

At about four o'clock of that same day the Red Wagon drew up at the

entrance to Glinda's palace and Dorothy and Betsy jumped out. Ozma's Red

Wagon was almost a chariot, being inlaid with rubies and pearls, and it was

drawn by Ozma's favorite steed, the wooden Sawhorse.

Shall I unharness you," asked Dorothy, "so you can come in and visit?"

No," replied the Sawhorse. "I'll just stand here and think. Take your time.

Thinking doesn't seem to bore me at all."

What will you think of?" inquired Betsy.

Of the acorn that grew the tree from which I was made."

So they left the wooden animal and went in to see Glinda, who welcomed the

little girls in her most cordial manner.

I knew you were on your way," said the good Sorceress when they were seated

in her library, "for I learned from my Record Book that you intended to meet

Trot and Button-Bright on their arrival here."

Is the strange little girl named Trot?" asked Dorothy.

Yes; and her companion, the old sailor, is named Cap'n Bill. I think we shall

like them very much, for they are just the kind of people to enjoy and

appreciate our fairyland and I do not see any way, at present, for them to

return again to the outside world."

Well, there's room enough here for them, I'm sure," said Dorothy. "Betsy and I

are already eager to welcome Trot. It will keep us busy for a year, at least,

showing her all the wonderful things in Oz."

Glinda smiled.

I have lived here many years," said she, "and I have not seen all the wonders

of Oz yet."

Meantime the travelers were drawing near to the palace, and when they first

caught sight of its towers Trot realized that it was far more grand and

imposing than was the King's castle in Jinxland. The nearer they came, the

The Scarecrow of Oz