THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ
CHAP. 28
When Ojo entered the room he ran quickly to the statue of Unc Nunkie andkissed the marble face affectionately.
"I did my best, Unc," he said, with a sob, "but it was no use!"
Then he drew back and looked around the room, and the sight of theassembled company quite amazed him.
Aside from the marble statues of Unc Nunkie and Margolotte, the GlassCat was there, curled up on a rug; and the Woozy was there, sitting onits square hind legs and looking on the scene with solemn interest; andthere was the Shaggy Man, in a suit of shaggy pea-green satin, and at atable sat the little Wizard, looking quite important and as if he knewmuch more than he cared to tell.
Last of all, Dr. Pipt was there, and the Crooked Magician sat humped upin a chair, seeming very dejected but keeping his eyes fixed on thelifeless form of his wife Margolotte, whom he fondly loved but whom henow feared was lost to him forever.
Ozma took a chair which Jellia Jamb wheeled forward for the Ruler, andback of her stood the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and Dorothy, as well asthe Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger. The Wizard now arose and made alow bow to Ozma and another less deferent bow to the assembled company.
"Ladies and gentlemen and beasts," he said, "I beg to announce that ourGracious Ruler has permitted me to obey the commands of the greatSorceress, Glinda the Good, whose humble Assistant I am proud to be. Wehave discovered that the Crooked Magician has been indulging in hismagical arts contrary to Law, and therefore, by Royal Edict, I herebydeprive him of all power to work magic in the future. He is no longer acrooked magician, but a simple Munchkin; he is no longer even crooked,but a man like other men."
As he pronounced these words the Wizard waved his hand toward Dr. Piptand instantly every crooked limb straightened out and became perfect.The former magician, with a cry of joy, sprang to his feet, looked athimself in wonder, and then fell back in his chair and watched theWizard with fascinated interest.
"The Glass Cat, which Dr. Pipt lawlessly made," continued the Wizard,"is a pretty cat, but its pink brains made it so conceited that it was adisagreeable companion to everyone. So the other day I took away thepink brains and replaced them with transparent ones, and now the GlassCat is so modest and well behaved that Ozma has decided to keep her inthe palace as a pet."
"I thank you," said the cat, in a soft voice.
"The Woozy has proved himself a good Woozy and a faithful friend," theWizard went on, "so we will send him to the Royal Menagerie, where hewill have good care and plenty to eat all his life."
"Much obliged," said the Woozy. "That beats being fenced up in a lonelyforest and starved."
"As for the Patchwork Girl," resumed the Wizard, "she is so remarkablein appearance, and so clever and good tempered, that our Gracious Rulerintends to preserve her carefully, as one of the curiosities of thecurious Land of Oz. Scraps may live in the palace, or wherever shepleases, and be nobody's servant but her own."
"That's all right," said Scraps.
"We have all been interested in Ojo," the little Wizard continued,"because his love for his unfortunate uncle has led him bravely to faceall sorts of dangers, in order that he might rescue him. The Munchkinboy has a loyal and generous heart and has done his best to restore UncNunkie to life. He has failed, but there are others more powerful thanthe Crooked Magician, and there are more ways than Dr. Pipt knew of todestroy the charm of the Liquid of Petrifaction. Glinda the Good hastold me of one way, and you shall now learn how great is the knowledgeand power of our peerless Sorceress."
As he said this the Wizard advanced to the statue of Margolotte and madea magic pass, at the same time muttering a magic word that none couldhear distinctly. At once the woman moved, turned her head wonderinglythis way and that, to note all who stood before her, and seeing Dr.Pipt, ran forward and threw herself into her husband's outstretchedarms.
Then the Wizard made the magic pass and spoke the magic word before thestatue of Unc Nunkie. The old Munchkin immediately came to life and witha low bow to the Wizard said: "Thanks."
But now Ojo rushed up and threw his arms joyfully about his uncle, andthe old man hugged his little nephew tenderly and stroked his hair andwiped away the boy's tears with a handkerchief, for Ojo was crying frompure happiness.
Ozma came forward to congratulate them.
"I have given to you, my dear Ojo and Unc Nunkie, a nice house justoutside the walls of the Emerald City," she said, "and there you shallmake your future home and be under my protection."
"Didn't I say you were Ojo the Lucky?" asked the Tin Woodman, aseveryone crowded around to shake Ojo's hand.
"Yes; and it is true!" replied Ojo, gratefully.
THE END
The Patchwork Girl of Oz Page 29
