sat the Hungry Tiger, the
Cowardly Lion, the Saw-Horse, the Rubber Bear, the Fox King and the
Donkey King; they made quite a company of animals.

At the lower end of the great room was another table, at which sat the
Ryls and Knooks who had come with Santa Claus, the wooden soldiers who
had come with the Queen of Merryland, and the Hilanders and Lolanders
who had come with John Dough. Here were also seated the officers of the
royal palace and of Ozma's army.

The splendid costumes of those at the three tables made a gorgeous and
glittering display that no one present was ever likely to forget;
perhaps there has never been in any part of the world at any time
another assemblage of such wonderful people as that which gathered this
evening to honor the birthday of the Ruler of Oz.

When all the members of the company were in their places an orchestra of
five hundred pieces, in a balcony overlooking the banquet room, began to
play sweet and delightful music. Then a door draped with royal green
opened, and in came the fair and girlish Princess Ozma, who now greeted
her guests in person for the first time.

As she stood by her throne at the head of the banquet table every eye
was turned eagerly upon the lovely Princess, who was as dignified as she
was bewitching, and who smiled upon all her old and new friends in a
way that touched their hearts and brought an answering smile to every
face.

Each guest had been served with a crystal goblet filled with lacasa,
which is a sort of nectar famous in Oz and nicer to drink than
soda-water or lemonade. Santa now made a pretty speech in verse,
congratulating Ozma on having a birthday, and asking every one present
to drink to the health and happiness of their dearly beloved hostess.
This was done with great enthusiasm by those who were made so they could
drink at all, and those who could not drink politely touched the rims of
their goblets to their lips. All seated themselves at the tables and the
servants of the Princess began serving the feast.

I am quite sure that only in Fairyland could such a delicious repast be
prepared. The dishes were of precious metals set with brilliant jewels
and the good things to eat which were placed upon them were countless in
number and of exquisite flavor. Several present, such as the Candy Man,
the Rubber Bear, Tik-tok, and the Scarecrow, were not made so they could
eat, and the Queen of Merryland contented herself with a small dish of
sawdust;