not observed.

"Saving your Imperial Presence, this is not permitted," said Tappy
uneasily.

"Never mind about my Imperial Presence," chuckled the Scarecrow.
"Tell me about my Imperial Past."

"Ah!" said Tappy Oko, rolling up his eyes, "You were one of the most
magnificent and magnanimous of monarchs."

"Was I?" asked the Scarecrow in a pleased voice.

"You distributed rice among the poor, and advice among the rich, and
fought many glorious battles," continued the little man. "I composed
a little song about you. Perhaps you would like to hear it?"

The Scarecrow nodded, and Tappy, throwing back his head, chanted with
a will:

Chang Wang Woe did draw the bow--
And twist the queues of a thousand foe!

"In Oz," murmured the Scarecrow reflectively as Tappy finished, "I
twisted the necks of a flock of wild crows--that was before I had my
excellent brains, too. Oh, I'm a fighting man, there's no doubt about
it. But tell me, Tappy, where did I meet my wife?"

"In the water!" chuckled Tappy Oko, screwing up his eyes.

"Never!" The Scarecrow looked out over the harbor and then down at
his lumpy figure.

"Your Majesty forgets you were then a man like me--er--not stuffed
with straw, I mean," exclaimed Happy, looking embarrassed. "She was
fishing," continued the little Punster, "when a huge silver fish
became entangled in her line. She stood up, the fish gave a mighty
leap and pulled her out of the boat. Your Majesty, having seen the
whole affair from the bank, plunged bravely into the water and,
swimming out, rescued her, freed the fish, and in due time made her
your bride. I've made a song about that, also."

"Let's hear it," said the Scarecrow. And this is what Happy sung:

Tsing Tsing, a Silver Fisher's daughter,
Was fishing in the silver water.
The moon shone on her silver hair
And there were fishes everywhere!

Then came a mighty silver fish,
It seized her line and with a swish
Of silver fins upset her boat.
Tsing Tsing could neither swim nor float.

She raised her silver voice in fear
And who her call of help should hear
But Chang Wang Woe, the Emperor,
Who saved and married her, what's more!

"Did I really?" asked the Scarecrow, feeling quite flattered by
Happy's song.

"Yes," said Happy positively, "and invited me to the wedding, though
I was only a small boy."

"Was Chew Chew there?" The Scarecrow couldn't help