looked up in surprise. "How dare you eat innocent cats?" Indignantly
he thought of Dorothy's pet kitten back in Oz. Oz--why had he ever
left that wonderful country?

"Your Highness has eaten hundreds," announced the Grand Chew Chew
calmly. "Hundreds!"

The Scarecrow dropped back into his chair, too shocked for speech.
He, the Scarecrow of Oz, had eaten hundreds of cats! What would
Dorothy say to that? Ugh! This was his first experience with Silver
Island fare. He had always spent the dinner hours in the garden. He
sighed, and looked wistfully at the bean pole in the center of the
hall. Every minute he was feeling less and less like the Emperor of
the Silver Island and more and more like the plain Scarecrow of Oz.

"Your Majesty seems out of spirits," said Happy Toko as he placed
himself and the huge watering can beside the Emperor's bench in the
garden later in the evening.

"I wish I were," said the Scarecrow. "To have an Emperor's spirit
wished on you is no joke, my dear Tappy. It's a blinking bore!" At
that moment, the fireworks commenced. The garden, ablaze with many
shaped silver lanterns, looked more like Fairyland than ever. But
each rocket made the Scarecrow wince. Showers of stars and
butterflies fell 'round his head, fiery dragons leaped over the
trees, and in all the Fourth of July celebrations you could imagine
there were never such marvelous fireworks as these. No wonder Happy
Toko, gazing in delight, forgot his promises to his Royal Master.

Soon the Scarecrow's fears were realized, and his straw stuffing
began to smoke.

"Put me out! Put me out!" cried the Scarecrow, as a shower of sparks
settled in his lap. The royal band made such a din and the courtiers
such a clatter that Happy did not hear.

All of the Silver Islanders were intent on the display, and they
forgot all about their unhappy and smoking Emperor.

"Help! Water! Water! Fire!" screamed the Scarecrow, jumping off his
throne and knocking Happy head over heels. Thus brought to his
senses, Happy hurriedly seized the watering can and sprinkled its
contents on the smoking Emperor.

"Am I out?" gasped the Emperor anxiously. "A fine way to celebrate a
victory, lighting me up like a Roman candle!"

"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
adv