21. Dorothy's Magic Belt

           DorothypassedseveralveryhappyweeksintheLandofOzastheguestoftheroyalOzma,whodelightedtopleaseandinterestthelittleKansasgirl.Manynewacquaintanceswereformedandmanyoldonesrenewed,andwherevershewentDorothyfoundherselfamongfriends.

           Oneday,however,asshesatinOzma’sprivateroom,shenoticedhanginguponthewallapicturewhichconstantlychangedinappearance,atonetimeshowingameadowandatanothertimeaforest,alakeoravillage.

           "Howcurious!"sheexclaimed,afterwatchingtheshiftingscenesforafewmoments.

           "Yes,"saidOzma,"thatisreallyawonderfulinventioninmagic.IfIwishtoseeanypartoftheworldoranypersonliving,Ineedonlyexpressthewishanditisshowninthepicture."

           "MayIuseit?"askedDorothy,eagerly.

           "Ofcourse,mydear."

           "ThenI’dliketoseetheoldKansasfarm,andAuntEm,"saidthegirl.

           Instantlythewellrememberedfarmhouseappearedinthepicture,andAuntEmcouldbeseenquiteplainly.Shewasengagedinwashingdishesbythekitchenwindowandseemedquitewellandcontented.Thehiredmenandtheteamswereintheharvestfieldsbehindthehouse,andthecornandwheatseemedtothechildtobeinprimecondition.OnthesideporchDorothy’spetdog,Toto,waslyingfastasleepinthesun,andtohersurpriseoldSpeckleswasrunningaroundwithabroodoftwelvenewchickenstrailingafterher.

           "Everythingseemsallrightathome,"saidDorothy,withasighofrelief."NowIwonderwhatUncleHenryisdoing.