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20. Princess Ozma of Oz
Onewasdressedlikeaclown,andperformedfunnyantics,andtheothersleapedoverthespoonsanddishesandranaroundthetablelikerace-horses,andturnedhand-springsandweresosprightlyandamusingthattheykeptthecompanyinoneroarofmerrylaughter.TheWizardhadtrainedthesepetstodomanycuriousthings,andtheyweresolittleandsocunningandsoftthatPolychromelovedtopickthemupastheypassednearherplaceandfondlethemasiftheywerekittens.
Itwaslatewhentheentertainmentended,andtheyseparatedtogototheirrooms.
"To-morrow,"saidOzma,"myinvitedguestswillarrive,andyouwillfindamongthemsomeinterestingandcuriouspeople,Ipromiseyou.Thenextdaywillbemybirthday,andthefestivitieswillbeheldonthebroadgreenjustoutsidethegatesoftheCity,whereallmypeoplecanassemblewithoutbeingcrowded."
"IhopetheScarecrowwon’tbelate,"saidDorothy,anxiously.
"Oh,heissuretoreturnto-morrow,"answeredOzma."Hewantednewstrawtostuffhimselfwith,sohewenttotheMunchkinCountry,wherestrawisplentiful."
WiththisthePrincessbadeherguestsgoodnightandwenttoherownroom.