8. The Hungry Tiger

           ThefirstthingDorothydidwastorushintotheembraceoftheScarecrow,whosepaintedfacebeamedwithdelightashepressedherformtohisstraw-paddedbosom.ThentheTinWoodmanembracedher--verygently,forheknewhistinarmsmighthurtherifhesqueezedtooroughly.

           Thesegreetingshavingbeenexchanged,DorothytookthekeytoTiktokfromherpocketandwoundupthemachineman’saction,sothathecouldbowproperlywhenintroducedtotherestofthecompany.WhiledoingthisshetoldthemhowusefulTiktokhadbeentoher,andboththeScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanshookhandswiththemachineoncemoreandthankedhimforprotectingtheirfriend.

           ThenDorothyasked:"WhereisBillina?"

           "Idon’tknow,"saidtheScarecrow."WhoisBillina?"

           "She’sayellowhenwhoisanotherfriendofmine,"answeredthegirl,anxiously."Iwonderwhathasbecomeofher?"

           "Sheisinthechickenhouse,inthebackyard,"saidthePrincess."Mydrawing-roomisnoplaceforhens."

           WithoutwaitingtohearmoreDorothyrantogetBillina,andjustoutsidethedoorshecameupontheCowardlyLion,stillhitchedtothechariotbesidethegreatTiger.TheCowardlyLionhadabigbowofblueribbonfastenedtothelonghairbetweenhisears,andtheTigerworeabowofredribbononhistail,justinfrontofthebushyend.

           InaninstantDorothywashuggingthehugeLionjoyfully.

           "I’mSOgladtoseeyouagain!"shecried.

           "Iamalsogladtoseeyou,Dorothy,"saidtheLion."We’vehadsomefineadventurestogether,haven’twe?"

           "Yes,indeed,"shereplied.