19. The Shaggy Man's Welcome

           Theshaggymanstoodinthegreathall,hisshaggyhatinhishands,wonderingwhatwouldbecomeofhim.Hehadneverbeenaguestinafinepalacebefore;perhapshehadneverbeenaguestanywhere.Inthebig,cold,outsideworldpeopledidnotinviteshaggymentotheirhomes,andthisshaggymanofourshadsleptmoreinhay-loftsandstablesthanincomfortablerooms.WhentheothersleftthegreathallheeyedthesplendidlydressedservantsofthePrincessOzmaasifheexpectedtobeorderedout;butoneofthembowedbeforehimasrespectfullyasifhehadbeenaprince,andsaid:

           "Permitme,sir,toconductyoutoyourapartments."

           Theshaggymandrewalongbreathandtookcourage.

           "Verywell,"heanswered."I’mready."

           Throughthebighalltheywent,upthegrandstaircasecarpetedthickwithvelvet,andsoalongawidecorridortoacarveddoorway.Heretheservantpaused,andopeningthedoorsaidwithpolitedeference:

           "Begoodenoughtoenter,sir,andmakeyourselfathomeintheroomsourRoyalOzmahasorderedpreparedforyou.Whateveryouseeisforyoutouseandenjoy,asifyourown.ThePrincessdinesatseven,andIshallbehereintimetoleadyoutothedrawing-room,whereyouwillbeprivilegedtomeetthelovelyRulerofOz.Isthereanycommand,inthemeantime,withwhichyoudesiretohonorme?"

           "No,"saidtheshaggyman;"butI’mmuchobliged."

           Heenteredtheroomandshutthedoor,andforatimestoodinbewilderment,admiringthegrandeurbeforehim.