21. Dorothy Receives the Guests

           NextmorningDorothy’sbreakfastwasservedinherownprettysittingroom,andshesenttoinvitePollyandtheshaggymantojoinherandButton-Brightatthemeal.Theycamegladly,andTotoalsohadbreakfastwiththem,sothatthelittlepartythathadtraveledtogethertoOzwasoncemorereunited.

           Nosoonerhadtheyfinishedeatingthantheyheardthedistantblastofmanytrumpets,andthesoundofabrassbandplayingmartialmusic;sotheyallwentoutuponthebalcony.ThiswasatthefrontofthepalaceandoverlookedthestreetsoftheCity,beinghigherthanthewallthatshutinthepalacegrounds.Theysawapproachingdownthestreetabandofmusicians,playingashardandloudastheycould,whilethepeopleoftheEmeraldCitycrowdedthesidewalksandcheeredsolustilythattheyalmostdrownedthenoiseofthedrumsandhorns.

           Dorothylookedtoseewhattheywerecheeringat,anddiscoveredthatbehindthebandwasthefamousScarecrow,ridingproudlyuponthebackofawoodenSaw-Horsewhichprancedalongthestreetalmostasgracefullyasifithadbeenmadeofflesh.Itshoofs,orrathertheendsofitswoodenlegs,wereshodwithplatesofsolidgold,andthesaddlestrappedtothewoodenbodywasrichlyembroideredandglistenedwithjewels.

           AshereachedthepalacetheScarecrowlookedupandsawDorothy,andatoncewavedhispeakedhatatheringreeting.Herodeuptothefrontdooranddismounted,andthebandstoppedplayingandwentawayandthecrowdsofpeoplereturnedtotheirdwellings.