26. How Ozma Refused to Fight for Her Kingdom

           Ozmawasinherrosegardenpickingabouquetwhenthepartyarrived,andshegreetedallheroldandnewfriendsassmilinglyandsweetlyasever.

           Dorothy’seyeswerefulloftearsasshekissedthelovelyRulerofOz,andshewhisperedtoher:

           "Oh,Ozma,Ozma!I’mSOsorry!"

           Ozmaseemedsurprised.

           "Sorryforwhat,Dorothy?"sheasked.

           "ForallyourtroubleabouttheNomeKing,"wasthereply.

           Ozmalaughedwithgenuineamusement.

           "Why,thathasnottroubledmeabit,dearPrincess,"shereplied.Then,lookingaroundatthesadfacesofherfriends,sheadded:"Haveyouallbeenworryingaboutthistunnel?"

           "Wehave!"theyexclaimedinachorus.

           "Well,perhapsitismoreseriousthanIimagined,"admittedthefairRuler;"butIhaven’tgiventhemattermuchthought.Afterdinnerwewillallmeettogetherandtalkitover."

           Sotheywenttotheirroomsandpreparedfordinner,andDorothydressedherselfinherprettiestgownandputonhercoronet,forshethoughtthatthismightbethelasttimeshewouldeverappearasaPrincessofOz.

           TheScarecrow,theTinWoodmanandJackPumpkinheadallsatatthedinnertable,althoughnoneofthemwasmadesohecouldeat.Usuallytheyservedtoenliventhemealwiththeirmerrytalk,butto-nightallseemedstrangelysilentanduneasy.

           AssoonasthedinnerwasfinishedOzmaledthecompanytoherownprivateroominwhichhungtheMagicPicture.WhentheyhadseatedthemselvestheScarecrowwasthefirsttospeak.

           "IstheNomeKing’stunnelfinished,Ozma?"heasked.

           "Itwascompletedto-day,"shereplied.