15. Old Friends are Reunited

           Manyservantsdressedinhandsomeuniformsstoodreadytowelcomethenewarrivals,andwhentheWizardgotoutofthebuggyaprettygirlinagreengowncriedoutinsurprise:

           "Why,it’sOz,theWonderfulWizard,comebackagain!"

           Thelittlemanlookedathercloselyandthentookboththemaiden’shandsinhisandshookthemcordially.

           "Onmyword,"heexclaimed,"it’slittleJelliaJamb—aspertandprettyasever!"

           "Whynot,Mr.Wizard?"askedJellia,bowinglow."ButI’mafraidyoucannotruletheEmeraldCity,asyouusedto,becausewenowhaveabeautifulPrincesswhomeveryonelovesdearly."

           "Andthepeoplewillnotwillinglypartwithher,"addedatallsoldierinaCaptain-General’suniform.

           TheWizardturnedtolookathim.

           "Didyounotweargreenwhiskersatonetime?"heasked.

           "Yes,"saidthesoldier;"butIshavedthemofflongago,andsincethenIhaverisenfromaprivatetobetheChiefGeneraloftheRoyalArmies."

           "That’snice,"saidthelittleman."ButIassureyou,mygoodpeople,thatIdonotwishtoruletheEmeraldCity,"headded,earnestly.

           "Inthatcaseyouareverywelcome!"criedalltheservants,anditpleasedtheWizardtonotetherespectwithwhichtheroyalretainersbowedbeforehim.HisfamehadnotbeenforgottenintheLandofOz,byanymeans.

           "WhereisDorothy?"enquiredZeb,anxiously,asheleftthebuggyandstoodbesidehisfriendthelittleWizard.

           "SheiswiththePrincessOzma,intheprivateroomsofthepalace,"repliedJelliaJamb."Butshehasorderedmetomakeyouwelcomeandtoshowyoutoyourapartments.