Page:The Royal Book of Oz.djvu/321

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Chapter Twenty-Four

"Ah, I see," replied Professor Wogglebug. "A case of 'When Knighthood was in flower.'"' And would you believe it—the bean stalk at that minute burst into a perfect shower of red blossoms that came tumbling down over everyone. Before they had recovered from their surprise the branch snapped off close to the Knight's armor and Tik Tok, the Tin Woodman and Sir Hokus rolled over in a heap. The branch itself whistled through the air and disappeared.

"Oh," cried Dorothy hugging the Knight impulsively, "I'm so glad."

"Are you all right?" asked the Scarecrow anxiously.

"Good as ever!" announced Sir Hokus, and indeed all traces of the magic stalk had disappeared from his shoulders.

"Dorothy!" cried Ozma again, "What does it all mean?"

"Merely that I slid down my family tree and that Dorothy and this Knight rescued me," said the Scarecrow calmly.

"And he's a real Royalty—so there!" cried Dorothy, with a wave at the Scarecrow and making a little face at Professor Wogglebug. "Meet his

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