"A prisoner is a captive," replied the fox-captain, strutting up and
down with much dignity.
"What's a captive?" asked Button-Bright.
"You're one," said the captain.
That made the shaggy man laugh
"Good afternoon, captain," he said, bowing politely to all the foxes
and very low to their commander. "I trust you are in good health, and
that your families are all well?"
The fox-captain looked at the shaggy man, and his sharp features grew
pleasant and smiling.
"We're pretty well, thank you, Shaggy Man," said he; and Dorothy knew
that the Love Magnet was working and that all the foxes now loved the
shaggy man because of it. But Toto didn't know this, for he began
barking angrily and tried to bite the captain's hairy leg where it
showed between his red boots and his yellow pantaloons.
"Stop, Toto!" cried the little girl, seizing the dog in her arms.
"These are our friends."
"Why, so we are!" remarked the captain in tones of astonishment.
"I thought at first we were enemies, but it seems you are friends
instead. You must come with me to see King Dox."
"Who's he?" asked Button-Bright, with earnest eyes.
"King Dox of Foxville; the great and wise sovereign who rules over
our community."
"What's sov'rin, and what's c'u'nity?" inquired Button-Bright.
"Don't ask so many questions, little boy."
"Why?"
"Ah, why indeed?" exclaimed the captain, looking at Button-Bright
admiringly.
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