On this especial birthday of the lovely girl Ruler, a long table was
set in the royal Banquet Hall of the palace, at which were place-cards
for the invited guests, and at one end of the great room was a smaller
table, not so high, for Ozma's animal friends, whom she never forgot,
and at the other end was a big table where all of the birthday gifts
were to be arranged.
When the guests arrived, they placed their gifts on this table and
then found their places at the banquet table. And, after the guests
were all placed, the animals entered in a solemn procession and were
placed at their table by Jellia Jamb. Then, while an orchestra hidden
by a bank of roses and ferns played a march composed for the occasion,
the Royal Ozma entered the Banquet Hall, attended by her Maids of
Honor, and took her seat at the head of the table.
She was greeted by a cheer from all the assembled company, the
animals adding their roars and growls and barks and mewing and
cackling to swell the glad tumult, and then all seated themselves at
their tables.
At Ozma's right sat the famous Scarecrow of Oz, whose straw-stuffed
body was not beautiful, but whose happy nature and shrewd wit had made
him a general favorite.
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