I will mark
out a plan of the trip for you and have everything in readiness for
you to start to-morrow morning. Take your time, dear, and be gone as
long as you wish. By the time you return I shall have found some
occupation for Uncle Henry and Aunt Em that will keep them from being
restless and dissatisfied."
Dorothy thanked her good friend and kissed the lovely Ruler gratefully.
Then she ran to tell the joyful news to her uncle and aunt.
Next morning, after breakfast, everything was found ready for
their departure.
The escort included Omby Amby, the Captain General of Ozma's army,
which consisted merely of twenty-seven officers besides the Captain
General. Once Omby Amby had been a private soldier--the only private
in the army--but as there was never any fighting to do Ozma saw no
need of a private, so she made Omby Amby the highest officer of them
all. He was very tall and slim and wore a gay uniform and a fierce
mustache. Yet the mustache was the only fierce thing about Omby Amby,
whose nature was as gentle as that of a child.
The wonderful Wizard had asked to join the party, and with him came
his friend the Shaggy Man, who was shaggy but not ragged, being
dressed in fine silks with satin shags and bobtails.
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