ng trees of the forest,
and they do their work faithfully and well. It's hard work, though, and
it makes my Knooks crooked and gnarled, like the trees themselves; but
their hearts are big and kind, as are the hearts of all who do good in
our beautiful world."

"I've read of the Ryls and Knooks," said Dorothy, looking upon these
little workers with interest.

Santa Claus turned to talk with the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, and
he also said a kind word to the shaggy man, and afterward went away to
ride the Saw-horse around the Emerald City. "For," said he, "I must see
all the grand sights while I am here and have the chance, and Ozma has
promised to let me ride the Saw-Horse because I'm getting fat and short
of breath."

"Where are your reindeer?" asked Polychrome.

"I left them at home, for it is too warm for them in this sunny
country," he answered. "They're used to winter weather when they
travel."

In a flash he was gone, and the Ryls and Knooks with him; but they could
all hear the golden hoofs of the Saw-Horse ringing on the marble
pavement outside, as he pranced away with his noble rider.

Presently the band played again, and the High Chamberlain announced:

[Illustration]

"Her Gracious Majesty, the Queen of Merryland."

They looked earnestly to discover whom this queen might be, and saw
advancing up the room an exquisite wax doll, dressed in dainty fluffs
and ruffles and spangled gown. She was almost as big as Button-Bright,
and her cheeks and mouth and eyebrow were prettily painted in delicate
colors. Her blue eyes stared a bit, being of glass, yet the expression
upon her Majesty's face was quite pleasant and decidedly winning. With
the Queen of Merryland were four wooden soldiers, two stalking ahead of
her with much dignity and two following behind, like a royal bodyguard.
The soldiers were painted in bright colors and carried wooden guns, and
after them came a fat little man who attracted attention at once,
although he seemed modest and retiring. For he was made of candy, and
carried a tin sugar-sifter filled with powdered sugar, with which he
dusted himself frequently so that he wouldn't stick to things if he
touched them. The High Chamberlain had called him "The Candy Man of
Merryland," and Dorothy saw that one of his thumbs looked as if it had
been bitten off by some who was fond of candy and couldn't resist the
temptation.

The wax doll Queen spoke prettily to Dorothy and the others, and sen