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3. A Queer Village
Thebroad,longroomtheyenteredwasdecoratedingoldwithstained-glasswindowsofsplendidcolors.Inthecorneroftheroomuponarichlycarvedgoldenthrone,satthefox-king,surroundedbyagroupofotherfoxes,allofwhomworegreatspectaclesovertheireyes,makingthemlooksolemnandimportant.
DorothyknewtheKingatonce,becauseshehadseenhisheadcarvedonthearchandoverthedoorwayofthepalace.Havingmetwithseveralotherkingsinhertravels,sheknewwhattodo,andatoncemadealowbowbeforethethrone.Theshaggymanbowed,too,andButton-Brightbobbedhisheadandsaid"Hello."
"MostwiseandnoblePotentateofFoxville,"saidthecaptain,addressingtheKinginapompousvoice,"IhumblybegtoreportthatIfoundthesestrangersontheroadleadingtoyourFoxyMajesty’sdominions,andhavethereforebroughtthembeforeyou,asismyduty."
"So—so,"saidtheKing,lookingatthemkeenly."Whatbroughtyouhere,strangers?"
"Ourlegs,mayitpleaseyourRoyalHairiness,"repliedtheshaggyman.
"Whatisyourbusinesshere?"wasthenextquestion.
"Togetawayassoonaspossible,"saidtheshaggyman.
TheKingdidn’tknowabouttheMagnet,ofcourse;butitmadehimlovetheshaggymanatonce.
"Dojustasyoupleaseaboutgoingaway,"hesaid;"butI’dliketoshowyouthesightsofmycityandtoentertainyourpartywhileyouarehere.WefeelhighlyhonoredtohavelittleDorothywithus,Iassureyou,andweappreciateherkindnessinmakingusavisit.ForwhatevercountryDorothyvisitsissuretobecomefamous.
