the
Scarecrow, taken unawares, flew up several feet and landed in a heap
on the steps leading to the throne. He climbed back hurriedly,
picking up the fan and parasol that he had plucked from the
beanstalk.

"I wish Professor Wogglebug could hear this," said the Scarecrow,
settling himself complacently. "But I must watch out, and remember to
hold on."

The Grand Chew Chew was the first to rise, and folding his arms, he
asked solemnly:

"What are your commands, Ancient and Honorable Scarecrowcus?"

"If you'd just omit the Cus," begged the Scarecrow in an embarrassed
voice, "I believe I could think better. Am I in China, or where? Are
you Chinamen, or what?"

"We are Silvermen," said the Grand Chew Chew impressively, "and a
much older race than our Chinese cousins. They are people of the sun.
We are people of the stars. Has your Highness so soon forgotten?"

"I am afraid," said the Scarecrow, rubbing his chin reflectively,
"that I have." He gazed slowly around the great throne room. Ozma's
palace itself was not more dazzling. The floor of dull silver blocks
was covered with rich blue rugs. Furniture, chairs, screens and
everything were made of silver inlaid with precious stones. Filigreed
silver lanterns hung from the high ceilings, and tall silver vases
filled with pink and blue blossoms filled the rooms with their
perfume. Blue flags embroidered with silver stars fluttered from the
walls and the tips of the pikebearers' spears, and silver seemed to
be so plentiful that even shoes were fashioned of it. Faintly through
the windows came the sweet tones of a hundred silver chimes, and
altogether the Scarecrow was quite dazed by his apparent good
fortune. Surely they had called him Emperor, but how could that be?
He turned to address the Grand Chew Chew; then as he saw out of the
corner of his eye that the assemblage were making ready to fall upon
their faces, he exclaimed in a hoarse whisper:

"May I speak to you alone?" The Grand Chew Chew waved his hand
imperiously, and the courtiers with a great crackling of silver
brocade backed from the hall.

"Very kind of them to bow, but I wish they wouldn't," sighed the
Scarecrow, sinking back on the great throne. "It blows one about so.
I declare, if another person falls at my feet, I'll have nervous
prostration."

Again he took a long survey of the hall, then turned to the Grand
Chew Chew. "Would you mind," he asked simply, "telling me again who I
am and how?"

"