5. Dorothy Picks the Princess

           ThewordsofthecoldandmoistvegetablePrincewerenotverycomforting,andashespokethemheturnedawayandlefttheenclosure.Thechildren,feelingsadanddespondent,wereabouttofollowhimwhentheWizardtouchedDorothysoftlyonhershoulder.

           "Wait!"hewhispered.

           "Whatfor?"askedthegirl.

           "SupposewepicktheRoyalPrincess,"saidtheWizard."I’mquitesureshe’sripe,andassoonasshecomestolifeshewillbetheRuler,andmaytreatusbetterthanthatheartlessPrinceintendsto."

           "Allright!"exclaimedDorothy,eagerly."Let’spickherwhilewehavethechance,beforethemanwiththestarcomesback."

           SotogethertheyleanedoverthegreatbushandeachofthemseizedonehandofthelovelyPrincess.

           "Pull!"criedDorothy,andastheydidsotheroyalladyleanedtowardthemandthestemssnappedandseparatedfromherfeet.Shewasnotatallheavy,sotheWizardandDorothymanagedtolifthergentlytotheground.

           Thebeautifulcreaturepassedherhandsoverhereyesaninstant,tuckedinastraylockofhairthathadbecomedisarranged,andafteralookaroundthegardenmadethosepresentagraciousbowandsaid,inasweetbuteventonedvoice:

           "Ithankyouverymuch."

           "WesaluteyourRoyalHighness!"criedtheWizard,kneelingandkissingherhand.

           JustthenthevoiceofthePrincewasheardcallinguponthemtohasten,andamomentlaterhereturnedtotheenclosure,followedbyanumberofhispeople.

           InstantlythePrincessturnedandfacedhim,andwhenhesawthatshewaspickedthePrincestoodstillandbegantotremble.