Why not Sir Pudding, here? Why not this honest
Punster? Who but Happy Toko deserves the throne?"

"The very person!" cried the Scarecrow, clasping his yellow gloves,
and taking off his silver hat, he set it impulsively upon the head of
the fat little Silver Islander.

"He'll make a lovely Emperor," said Dorothy. "He's so kind-hearted
and jolly. And now the Scarecrow can abdicate and come home to Oz."

They all looked triumphantly at the Imperial Punster, but Happy Toko,
snatching off the royal hat, burst into tears.

"Don't leave me behind, amiable Master!" he sobbed disconsolately.
"Oh, how I shall miss you!"

"But don't you see," coaxed Dorothy, "the Scarecrow needs you here
more than anyplace, and think of all the fine clothes you will have
and how rich you will be!"

"And Tappy, my dear boy," said the Scarecrow, putting his arm around
Happy Toko, "you might not like Oz any more than I like Silver
Island. Then think--if everything goes well, you can visit me--just
as one Emperor visits another!"

"And you won't forget me?" sniffed Happy, beginning to like the idea
of being Emperor.

"Never!" cried the Scarecrow with an impressive wave.

"And if anything goes wrong, will you help me out?" questioned Happy
uncertainly.

"We'll look in the Magic Picture of Oz every month," declared
Dorothy, "and if you need us we'll surely find some way to help you."

"An' you ever require a trusty sword, Odds Bodikins!" exclaimed Sir
Hokus, pressing Tappy's hand, "I'm your man!"

"All right, dear Master!" Happy slowly picked up the Imperial hat and
set it sideways on his head. "I'll do my best."

"I don't doubt it at all," said the Doubtful Dromedary to everyone's
surprise.

"Three cheers for the Emperor! Long live the Emperor of the Silver
Island," rumbled the Cowardly Lion, and everybody from Oz, even the
camel and dromedary, fell upon their knees before Happy Toko.

"You may have my bride, too, Tappy," chuckled the Scarecrow with a
wink at Dorothy. "And Tappy," he asked, sobering suddenly, "will you
have my grandsons brought up like real children? Just as soon as I
return, I shall send them all the Books of Oz."

Happy bowed, too confused and excited for speech.

"Now," said the Scarecrow, seizing Dorothy's hand, "I can return to
Oz with an easy mind."

"Doubt that," said the Doubtful Dromedary.

"You needn't!" announced Dorothy. "I've thought it all out." In a few
short sentences she outlined her plan.

"