n a laughable way.

It was lucky that Billina gathered the little ones under her soft breast
just then, for Tik-tok came in and tramped up to the throne on his flat
copper feet.

"I am all wound up and work-ing fine-ly," said the clockwork man to
Dorothy.

"I can hear him tick," declared Button-Bright.

"You are quite the polished gentleman," said the Tin Woodman. "Stand up
here beside the shaggy man, Tik-tok, and help receive the company."

Dorothy placed soft cushions in a corner for Billina and her chicks, and
had just returned to the Throne and seated herself when the playing of
the royal band outside the palace announced the approach of
distinguished guests.

And my, how they did stare when the High Chamberlain threw open the
doors and the visitors entered the Throne-Room!

First walked a gingerbread man, neatly formed and baked to a lovely
brown tint. He wore a silk hat and carried a candy cane prettily striped
with red and yellow. His shirt-front and cuffs were white frosting, and
the buttons on his coat were licorice drops.

Behind the gingerbread man came a child with flaxen hair and merry blue
eyes, dressed in white pajamas, with sandals on the soles of its pretty
bare feet. The child looked around smiling and thrust its hands into the
pockets of the pajamas. Close after it came a big rubber bear, walking
erect on its hind feet. The bear had twinkling black eyes and its body
looked as if it had been pumped full of air.

Following these curious visitors were two tall, thin men and two short,
fat men, all four dressed in gorgeous uniforms.

[Illustration: KING DOUGH, THE HEAD BOOLEYWAG, AND PARA BRUIN]

Ozma's High Chamberlain now hurried forward to announce the names of the
new arrivals, calling out in a loud voice:

"His Gracious and Most Edible Majesty, King Dough the First, Ruler of
the Two Kingdoms of Hiland and Loland. Also the Head Booleywag of his
Majesty, known as Chick the Cherub, and their faithful friend Para
Bruin, the rubber bear."

These great personages bowed low as their names were called, and Dorothy
hastened to introduce them to the assembled company. They were the first
foreign arrivals, and the friends of Princess Ozma were polite to them
and tried to make them feel that they were welcome.

Chick the Cherub shook hands with every one, including Billina, and was
so joyous and frank and full of good spirits that John Dough's Head
Booleywag at once became a prime favorite.

"