18. The Trial of Eureka, the Kitten

           Severaldaysoffestivityandmerry-makingfollowed,forsucholdfriendsdidnotoftenmeetandtherewasmuchtobetoldandtalkedoverbetweenthem,andmanyamusementstobeenjoyedinthisdelightfulcountry.

           OzmawashappytohaveDorothybesideher,forgirlsofherownagewithwhomitwasproperforthePrincesstoassociatewereveryfew,andoftentheyouthfulRulerofOzwaslonelyforlackofcompanionship.

           ItwasthethirdmorningafterDorothy’sarrival,andshewassittingwithOzmaandtheirfriendsinareceptionroom,talkingoveroldtimes,whenthePrincesssaidtohermaid:

           "Pleasegotomyboudoir,Jellia,andgetthewhitepigletIleftonthedressing-table.Iwanttoplaywithit."

           Jelliaatoncedepartedontheerrand,andshewasgonesolongthattheyhadalmostforgottenhermissionwhenthegreenrobedmaidenreturnedwithatroubledface.

           "Thepigletisnotthere,yourHighness,"saidshe.

           "Notthere!"exclaimedOzma."Areyousure?"

           "Ihavehuntedineverypartoftheroom,"themaidreplied.

           "Wasnotthedoorclosed?"askedthePrincess.

           "Yes,yourHighness;Iamsureitwas;forwhenIopeneditDorothy’swhitekittencreptoutandranupthestairs."

           Hearingthis,DorothyandtheWizardexchangedstartledglances,fortheyrememberedhowoftenEurekahadlongedtoeatapiglet.Thelittlegirljumpedupatonce.

           "Come,Ozma,"shesaid,anxiously;"letusgoourselvestosearchforthepiglet."

           Sothetwowenttothedressing-roomofthePrincessandsearchedcarefullyineverycornerandamongthevasesandbasketsandornamentsthatstoodabouttheprettyboudoir.