19. The Wizard Performs Another Trick

           Atthreeo’clocktheThroneRoomwascrowdedwithcitizens,men,womenandchildrenbeingeagertowitnessthegreattrial.

           PrincessOzma,dressedinhermostsplendidrobesofstate,satinthemagnificentemeraldthrone,withherjewelledsceptreinherhandandhersparklingcoronetuponherfairbrow.Behindherthronestoodthetwenty-eightofficersofherarmyandmanyofficialsoftheroyalhousehold.AtherrightsatthequeerlyassortedJury—animals,animateddummiesandpeople—allgravelypreparedtolistentowhatwassaid.Thekittenhadbeenplacedinalargecagejustbeforethethrone,whereshesatuponherhaunchesandgazedthroughthebarsatthecrowdsaroundher,withseemingunconcern.

           Andnow,atasignalfromOzma,theWoggle-Bugaroseandaddressedthejury.Histonewaspompousandhestruttedupanddowninanabsurdattempttoappeardignified.

           "YourRoyalHighnessandFellowCitizens,"hebegan;"thesmallcatyouseeaprisonerbeforeyouisaccusedofthecrimeoffirstmurderingandtheneatingouresteemedRuler’sfatpiglet—orelsefirsteatingandthenmurderingit.Ineithercaseagravecrimehasbeencommittedwhichdeservesagravepunishment."

           "Doyoumeanmykittenmustbeputinagrave?"askedDorothy.

           "Don’tinterrupt,littlegirl,"saidtheWoggle-Bug."WhenIgetmythoughtsarrangedingoodorderIdonotliketohaveanythingupsetthemorthrowthemintoconfusion."

           "Ifyourthoughtswereanygoodtheywouldn’tbecomeconfused,"remarkedtheScarecrow,earnestly."Mythoughtsarealways—"

           "Isthisatrialofthoughts,orofkittens?"demandedtheWoggle-Bug.