Page:The Royal Book of Oz.djvu/154

 "Yes, dear Master," said the repentant Happy, helping the dripping Scarecrow to his feet, "it only scorched your royal robe. And it's all over anyway—let us go in."

The dripping Emperor was quite ready to follow his Imperial Punster's advice.

"Now that I am put out, let us by all means go in," said the Scarecrow gloomily, and the two slipped off without anyone noticing their departure.

"I'm afraid I'll have to have some new stuffing to-morrow," observed the Scarecrow, sinking dejectedly on his throne. "Tappy, my dear boy, after this, never leave me alone—do you hear?" Happy Toko made no reply. He had fallen asleep beside the Imperial Throne.

The Scarecrow might have called his court, but he was in no mood for more of the Silver Islanders' idea of a good time. He longed for the dear friends of his loved Land of Oz.

One by one the lights winked out in the gardens and the noisy company dispersed, and soon no one in the palace was awake but the Scarecrow. His straw was wet and soggy and even his excellent brains felt damp and dull.

"If it weren't for Tappy Oko how lonely I should