"It's funny," said Toto, standing¹ before his friend the Lion and wagging his tail, "but I've found my growl² at last! I am positive now that it was the cruel magician who stole it."

 

"Let's hear your growl," requested the Lion.

 

"G-r-r-r-r-r!" said Toto.

 

"That is fine," declared the big beast. "It isn't as loud or as deep as the growl of the big Lavender Bear, but it is a very respectable growl for a small dog. Where did you find it, Toto?"

 

"I was smelling in the corner yonder," said Toto, "when suddenly a mouse ran out—and I growled³."

 

The others were all busy congratulating Ozma, who was very happy at being released from the confinement⁴ of the golden peach pit, where the magician had placed her with the notion that she never could be found or liberated⁵.

 

"And only to think," cried Dorothy, "that Button-Bright has been carrying you in his pocket all this time, and we never knew it!"

 

"The little Pink Bear told you," said the Bear King, "but you wouldn't believe him."

 

"Never mind, my dears," said Ozma graciously, "all is well that ends well, and you couldn't be expected to know I was inside the peach pit. Indeed, I feared I would remain a captive much longer than I did, for Ugu is a bold and clever magician, and he had hidden me very securely."

 

"You were in a fine peach," said Button-Bright, "the best I ever ate."

 

"The magician was foolish to make the peach so tempting," remarked the Wizard, "but Ozma would lend beauty to any transformation⁶."

 

"How did you manage to conquer Ugu the Shoemaker?" inquired the girl Ruler of Oz.

 

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