ik-tok!" cried Dorothy, running forward. When she came to him the
copper man lifted the little girl in his copper arms and kissed her
cheek with his copper lips.

"Oh, Billina!" cried Dorothy, in a glad voice, and the yellow hen flew
to her arms, to be hugged and petted by turns.

The others were curiously crowding around the group, and the girl said
to them:

"It's Tik-tok and Billina; and oh! I'm so glad to see them again."

"Wel-come to Oz," said the copper man, in a monotonous voice.

[Illustration]

Dorothy sat right down in the road, the yellow hen in her arms, and
began to stroke Billina's back. Said the hen:

"Dorothy, dear, I've some wonderful news to tell you."

"Tell it quick, Billina!" said the girl.

Just then Toto, who had been growling to himself in a cross way gave a
sharp bark and flew at the yellow hen, who ruffled her feathers and let
out such an angry screech that Dorothy was startled.

"Stop, Toto! Stop that this minute!" she commanded. "Can't you see that
Billina is my friend?" In spite of this warning had she not grabbed
Toto quickly by the neck the little dog would have done the yellow hen a
mischief, and even now he struggled madly to escape Dorothy's grasp. She
slapped his cars once or twice and told him to behave, and the yellow
hen flew to Tik-tok's shoulder again, where she was safe.

"What a brute!" croaked Billina, glaring down at the little dog.

"Toto isn't a brute," replied Dorothy; "but at home Uncle Henry has to
whip him sometimes for chasing the chickens. Now, look here, Toto," she
added, holding up her finger and speaking sternly to him, "you've got to
understand that Billina is one of my dearest friends, and mustn't be
hurt--now or ever."

Toto wagged his tail as if he understood.

"The miserable thing can't talk," said Billina, with a sneer.

"Yes, he can," replied Dorothy; "he talks with his tail, and I know
everything he says. If you could wag your tail, Billina, you wouldn't
need words to talk with."

"Nonsense!" said Billina.

"It isn't nonsense at all. Just now Toto says he's sorry, and that he'll
try to love you for my sake. Don't you, Toto?"

"Bow-wow!" said Toto, wagging his tail again.

"But I've such wonderful news for you; Dorothy," cried the yellow hen;
"I've----"

"Wait a minute, dear," interrupted the little girl; "I've got to
introduce you all, first. That's manners, Billina. This," turning to her
traveling companions, "is Mr. Tik-tok, who w