surrounded by a circle of emeralds, just to set it off to good advantage.
The clasp of the girdle will be pure tin! Won't that be fine?"

"I'm sure she'll like it," said Dorothy. "Do you know what I can
give her?"

"I haven't the slightest idea, Dorothy. It took me three months to
think of my own present for Ozma."

The girl walked thoughtfully around to the back of the palace, and
presently came upon the famous Scarecrow of Oz, who has having two of
the palace servants stuff his legs with fresh straw.

"What are you going to give Ozma on her birthday?" asked Dorothy.

"I want to surprise her," answered the Scarecrow.

"I won't tell," promised Dorothy.

"Well, I'm having some straw slippers made for her--all straw, mind
you, and braided very artistically. Ozma has always admired my straw
filling, so I'm sure she'll be pleased with these lovely straw slippers."

"Ozma will be pleased with anything her loving friends give her,"
said the girl. "What I'M worried about, Scarecrow, is what to give
Ozma that she hasn't got already."

"That's what worried me, until I thought of the slippers," said the
Scarecrow. "You'll have to THINK, Dorothy; that's the only way to get
a good idea. If I hadn't such wonderful brains, I'd never have