uty that met her
eyes on every side as they rode through this stately and imposing City,
the equal of which has never been discovered, even in Fairyland.
Button-Bright could only say "My!" so amazing was the sight; but his
eyes were wide open and he tried to look in every direction at the same
time, so as not to miss anything.

The shaggy man was fairly astounded at what he saw, for the graceful
and handsome buildings were covered with plates of gold and set with
emeralds so splendid and valuable that in any other part of the world
any one of them would have been worth a fortune to its owner. The
sidewalks were superb marble slabs polished as smooth as glass, and the
curbs that separated the walks from the broad street were also set
thick with clustered emeralds. There were many people on these
walks--men, women and children--all dressed in handsome garments of
silk or satin or velvet, with beautiful jewels. Better even than this:
all seemed happy and contented, for their faces were smiling and free
from care, and music and laughter might be heard on every side.

"Don't they work at all?" asked the shaggy man.

"To be sure they work," replied the Tin Woodman; "this fair city could
not be built or cared for without labor, nor could the fruit and
vegetables and other food be provided for the inhabitants to eat. But
no one works more than half his time, and the people of Oz enjoy their
labors as much as they do their play."

"It's wonderful!" declared the shaggy man. "I do hope Ozma will let me
live here."

The chariot, winding through many charming streets, paused before a
building so vast and noble and elegant that even Button-Bright guessed
at once that it was the Royal Palace. Its gardens and ample grounds
were surrounded by a separate wall, not so high or thick as the wall
around the City, but more daintily designed and built all of green
marble. The gates flew open as the chariot appeared before them, and
the Cowardly Lion and Hungry Tiger trotted up a jeweled driveway to the
front door of the palace and stopped short.

"Here we are!" said Dorothy, gaily, and helped Button-Bright from the
chariot. Polychrome leaped out lightly after them, and they were
greeted by a crowd of gorgeously dressed servants who bowed low as the
visitors mounted the marble steps. At their head was a pretty little
maid with dark hair and eyes, dressed all in green embroidered with
silver. Dorothy ran up to her with evident p