26. How Ozma Refused to Fight for Her Kingdom
Ozmawasinherrosegardenpickingabouquetwhenthepartyarrived,andshegreetedallheroldandnewfriendsassmilinglyandsweetlyasever.
Dorothy’seyeswerefulloftearsasshekissedthelovelyRulerofOz,andshewhisperedtoher:
"Oh,Ozma,Ozma!I’mSOsorry!"
Ozmaseemedsurprised.
"Sorryforwhat,Dorothy?"sheasked.
"ForallyourtroubleabouttheNomeKing,"wasthereply.
Ozmalaughedwithgenuineamusement.
"Why,thathasnottroubledmeabit,dearPrincess,"shereplied.Then,lookingaroundatthesadfacesofherfriends,sheadded:"Haveyouallbeenworryingaboutthistunnel?"
"Wehave!"theyexclaimedinachorus.
"Well,perhapsitismoreseriousthanIimagined,"admittedthefairRuler;"butIhaven’tgiventhemattermuchthought.Afterdinnerwewillallmeettogetherandtalkitover."
Sotheywenttotheirroomsandpreparedfordinner,andDorothydressedherselfinherprettiestgownandputonhercoronet,forshethoughtthatthismightbethelasttimeshewouldeverappearasaPrincessofOz.
TheScarecrow,theTinWoodmanandJackPumpkinheadallsatatthedinnertable,althoughnoneofthemwasmadesohecouldeat.Usuallytheyservedtoenliventhemealwiththeirmerrytalk,butto-nightallseemedstrangelysilentanduneasy.
AssoonasthedinnerwasfinishedOzmaledthecompanytoherownprivateroominwhichhungtheMagicPicture.WhentheyhadseatedthemselvestheScarecrowwasthefirsttospeak.
"IstheNomeKing’stunnelfinished,Ozma?"heasked.
"Itwascompletedto-day,"shereplied.