arated the walks from the broad street were also set thick
with clustered emeralds. There were many people on these walks--men,
women, and children--all dressed in handsome garments of silk or satin
or velvet, with beautiful jewels. Better even than this: all seemed
happy and contented, for their faces were smiling and free from care,
and music and laughter might be heard on every side.

"Don't they work, at all?" asked the shaggy man.

"To be sure they work," replied the Tin Woodman; "this fair city could
not be built or cared for without labor, nor could the fruit and
vegetables and other food be provided for the inhabitants to eat. But no
one works more than half his time, and the people of Oz enjoy their
labors as much as they do their play."

"It's wonderful!" declared the shaggy man. "I do hope Ozma will let me
live here."

The chariot, winding through many charming streets, paused before a
building so vast and noble and elegant that even Button-Bright guessed
at once that it was the Royal Palace. Its gardens and ample grounds were
surrounded by a separate wall, not so high or thick as the wall around
the City, but more daintily designed and built all of green marble. The
gates flew open as the chariot appeared before them, and the Cowardly
Lion and Hungry Tiger trotted up a jeweled driveway to the front door of
the palace and stopped short.

"Here we are!" said Dorothy, gaily, and helped Button-Bright from the
chariot. Polychrome leaped out lightly after them, and they were greeted
by a crowd of gorgeously dressed servants who bowed low as the visitors
mounted the marble steps. At their head was a pretty little maid with
dark hair and eyes, dressed all in green embroidered with silver.
Dorothy ran up to her with evident pleasure, and exclaimed:

"O Jellia Jamb! I'm so glad to see you again. Where's Ozma?"

"In her room, your Highness," replied the little maid demurely, for this
was Ozma's favorite attendant. "She wishes you to come to her as soon as
you have rested and changed your dress, Princess Dorothy. And you and
your friends are to dine with her this evening."

"When is her birthday, Jellia?" asked the girl.

"Day after to-morrow, your Highness."

"And where's the Scarecrow?"

"He's gone into the Munchkin country to get some fresh straw to stuff
himself with, in honor of Ozma's celebration," replied the maid. "He
returns to the Emerald City to-morrow, he said."

By this time Tik-tok, the Tin W