Part 10
"In that you are wrong," said the sorceress. "The belt has magical powers only while it is in some fairy country, such as the Land of Oz, or the Land of Ev. Indeed, my little friend, were you to wear it and wish yourself in Australia, with your uncle, the wish would doubtless be fulfilled, because it was made in fairyland. But you would not find the magic belt around you when you arrived at your destination."
"What would become of it?" asked the girl.
"It would be lost, as were your silver shoes when you visited Oz before, and no one would ever see it again. It seems too bad to destroy the use of the magic belt in that way, doesn't it?"
"Then," said Dorothy, after a moment's thought, "I will give the magic belt to Ozma, for she can use it in her own country. And she can wish me transported to Uncle Henry without losing the belt."
"That is a wise plan," replied Glinda.
So they rode back to the Emerald City, and on the way it was arranged that every Saturday morning Ozma would look at Dorothy in her magic picture, wherever the little girl might chance to be. And, if she saw Dorothy make a certain signal, then Ozma would know that the little Kansas girl wanted to revisit the Land of Oz, and by means of the Nome King's magic belt would wish that she might instantly return.
This having been agreed upon, Dorothy bade good-bye to all her friends. Tiktok wanted to go to Australia, too; but Dorothy knew that the machine man would never do for a servant in a civilized country, and the chances were that his machinery wouldn't work at all. So she left him in Ozma's care.
Billina, on the contrary, preferred the Land of Oz to any other country, and refused to accompany Dorothy.
"The bugs and ants that I find here are the finest flavored in the world," declared the yellow hen, "and there are plenty of them. So here I shall end my days; and I must say, Dorothy, my dear, that you are very foolish to go back into that stupid, humdrum world again."
"Uncle Henry needs me," said Dorothy, simply; and every one except Billina thought it was right that she should go.
All Dorothy's friends of the Land of Oz--both old and new--gathered in a group in front of the palace to bid her a sorrowful good-bye and to wish her long life and happiness. After much hand shaking, Dorothy kissed Ozma once more, and then handed her the Nome King's magic belt, saying:
"Now, dear Princess, when I wave my handkerchief, please wish me with Uncle Henry. I'm aw'fly sorry to leave you--and the Scarecrow--and the Tin Woodman--and the Cowardly Lion--and Tiktok--and--and everybody--but I do want my Uncle Henry! So good-bye, all of you."
Then the little girl stood on one of the big emeralds which decorated the courtyard, and after looking once again at each of her friends, waved her handkerchief.
* * * * *
"No," said Dorothy, "I wasn't drowned at all. And I've come to nurse you and take care of you, Uncle Henry, and you must promise to get well as soon as poss'ble."
Uncle Henry smiled and cuddled his little niece close in his lap.
"I'm better already, my darling," said he.
* * * * *
Books by L. Frank Baum
Illustrated by John R. Neill
Each book handsomely bound in artistic pictorial cover. $1.25 per volume.
THE LAND OF OZ
An account of the adventures of the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, Jack Punpkinhead, the Animated Saw-Horse, the Highly Magnified Woggle-Bug, the Gump and many other delightful characters.
Nearly 150 black-and-white illustrations and sixteen full-page pictures in color.
OZMA OF OZ
The story tells "more about Dorothy," as well as those famous characters, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion, and something of several new creations equally delightful, including Tiktok the machine man, the Yellow Hen, the Nome King and the Hungry Tiger.
Forty-one full-page colored pictures; twenty-two half pages in color and fifty black-and-white text pictures.
DOROTHY AND THE WIZARD IN OZ
In this book Dorothy, with Zeb, a little boy friend, and Jim, the Cab Horse, are swallowed up in an earthquake and reach a strange vegetable land, whence they escape to the land of Oz, and meet all their old friends. Among the new characters are Eureka, Dorothy's Pink Kitten, and the Nine Tiny Piglets.
Gorgeously illustrated with sixteen full color pages and numerous black-and-white pictures.
THE ROAD TO OZ
Tells how to reach the Magic City of Oz over a road leading through lands of many colors, peopled with odd characters, surcharged with adventure suitable for the minds and imaginations of young children. The manufacture represents an entirely new idea--the paper used is of various colors to indicate the several countries traversed by the road leading to Oz and the Emerald City.
Unique and gorgeous Jacket in colors and gold.
THE EMERALD CITY OF OZ
In this story, the Nome King threatens to capture the Emerald City. Ozma and Dorothy, with the help of Glinda the Good defeat his plan. All the old characters and many new ones enliven this story.
16 full-page pictures in four colors and green bronze. 100 black-and-white illustrations. Jacket in four colors and aluminum and green bronze.
THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ
In many ways the most successful of the Oz Books. A new and fascinating character, the Patchwork Girl, and Ojo, a new boy, have adventures of lively interest.
Over 100 full-page pictures in full color and in black and white. Full-length chapter heads in full color. Jacket in four colors; cover in four stampings.