ong to the
nobility?"

[Illustration]

"Just in Oz I do," said the child, "'cause Ozma made me a Princess, you
know. But when I'm home in Kansas I'm only a country girl, and have to
help with the churning and wipe the dishes while Aunt Em washes 'em. Do
you have to help wash dishes on the rainbow, Polly?"

"No, dear," answered Polychrome, smiling.

"Well, I don't have to work any in Oz, either," said Dorothy. "It's kind
of fun to be a Princess once in a while; don't you think so?"

"Dorothy and Polychrome and Button-Bright are all to ride in the
chariot," said the Lion. "So get in, my dears, and be careful not to mar
the gold or put your dusty feet on the embroidery."

Button-Bright was delighted to ride behind such a superb team, and he
told Dorothy it made him feel like an actor in a circus. As the strides
of the animals brought them nearer to the Emerald City every one bowed
respectfully to the children, as well as to the Tin Woodman, Tik-tok,
and the shaggy man, who were following behind.

The Yellow Hen had perched upon the back of the chariot, where she could
tell Dorothy more about her wonderful chickens as they rode. And so the
grand chariot came finally to the high wall surrounding the City, and
paused before the magnificent jewel-studded gates.

These were opened by a cheerful looking little man who wore green
spectacles over his eyes. Dorothy introduced him to her friends as the
Guardian of the Gates, and they noticed a big bunch of keys suspended on
the golden chain that hung around his neck. The chariot passed through
the outer gates into a fine arched chamber built in the thick wall, and
through the inner gates into the streets of the Emerald City.

Polychrome exclaimed in rapture at the wondrous beauty that met her eyes
on every side as they rode through this stately and imposing City, the
equal of which has never been discovered, even in Fairyland.
Button-Bright could only say "My!" so amazing was the sight; but his
eyes were wide open and he tried to look in every direction at the same
time, so as not to miss anything.

[Illustration]

The shaggy man was fairly astounded at what he saw, for the graceful and
handsome buildings were covered with plates of gold and set with
emeralds so splendid and valuable that in any other part of the world
any one of them would have been worth a fortune to its owner. The
sidewalks were superb marble slabs polished as smooth as glass, and the
curbs that sep