"So you think you can change me to a real man?" queried Benny, looking admiringly at the famous wonder-worker. "Certainly," replied the Wizard carelessly, tossing off a glass of emeralade. "Whenever you wish!" "Think it over carefully," cautioned the Scarecrow, who sat on the other side. "Is it not better to be big and hard than small and weak, like most natural beings? You're a very famous person as you are," he finished, flatteringly, "but as a meat man you will be quite like everybody else. I was once a real person," he confided solemnly, "and did not care for it at all. Take my advice and stay as you are, old boulder!" "Please do!" begged Trot from her place across the table. "You're _so_ strong and handsome and you can dance as well as anyone. You didn't tread on my toe even once," declared the little girl stoutly. Benny would have blushed at Trot's words, had such a thing been possible. As it was, he smiled so happily that he did not look like a public benefactor at all. The stone frown that was carved on Benny's forehead had gradually melted away, and his expression was now so pleasant and jolly, I am sure none of the worthy fathers of Boston would have recognized their former citizen. "It shall be as Trot wishes," said Benny, with a fond glance across the table, and amid the cheers and claps of the celebrities, he agreed to stay as he was. "And live at our capital always," invited Ozma, from the head of the table. "And Herby, too. He shall be our Court Physician," declared Ozma, and coming 'round to where they sat, she touched them both on the shoulder with her emerald scepter, to show they now belonged to her court. Benny was too overcome to say a word, but Herby, with a great jingling of pill boxes, arose and, with one hand on his medicine chest, made a lengthy speech of thanks. [Illustration: HERBY MADE A LENGTHY SPEECH] "Every time he comes near, you can hear his pills rattle," observed High Boy in a low voice to the Saw Horse. One end of the table had been reserved for the palace pets and High Boy had the seat of honor at the head. Next to him stood the Saw Horse, Ozma's little wooden, gold-shod steed, taking in everything but the refreshments and making short sharp answers to High Boy's remarks. High Boy secretly thought him a poor looking creature, but as he wisely kept this thought to himself they got along famously.