"We want to see the child who has become our Queen," replied Elephant. "On what grounds?" "On the ground I'm walking upon now, I suppose. Is there a problem?" "What is your business with the Queen? If you are here to make fun of her age, you are welcome to go away. Queen Ozma was sent to us by the Fairy Queen Lurliné herself, and she has our respect. Even though she is a tiny child, she is not to be made sport of." "No one is making sport of anyone," said Elephant gruffly. "Though if you don't get out of my way I may decide to use you for a football." "That will not be necessary," said the guard. "But you will need to wear green glasses. It is a rule that was set up by the Wonderful Wizard of Oz himself. It is because of the gleaming magnitude of all the big gemstones everywhere. If you don't wear these special glasses, you might well be blinded by their brilliance. I hope you won't object to this." "Well," said Elephant. "I fear that your glasses will not fit someone my size. Nor, for that matter, the smaller sizes of my companions." "Jeepers," said the guard. "I hadn't thought of that. Perhaps you're right." He practically threw himself into his chestful of green glasses, but found none that would fit the animals. "I guess I'll have to make you some. This may take a while, so you'll have to find something to do in the mean." "How about we go and talk to the Queen while you make us our glasses?" suggested Nibbles. "A grand idea!" replied the guard. He opened the gate and the company entered. The Emerald City of Oz is a truly remarkable place. It has had so many volumes written about it that it hardly needs a description here, but it should be noted that our trio was most impressed. Ozma, too, was very impressive. They came upon her while she was engrossed in playing paper-dolls with another little girl on the palace steps. [Illustration: Ozma] "Excuse me, your Majesty," said Elephant. The child looked up from her game and smiled at the pachyderm. "Hello," she said quietly. "My Dear Queen," said Elephant, "I and my cohorts are from the Lunechien Forest of Oz. It is situated in the Munchkin Country, and we are proud to call ourselves your subjects." "Thank you very much," Ozma said politely. "Do you want to play paper-dolls with us?" "I--er, well, I suppose at some point I could be persuaded," stammered Elephant. "But I have come on very important business just now."