When they were kicking they
had braced themselves with their front legs, but now they all stood or
sat upright on their hind legs and used the front ones as arms.
Having no fingers or hands the beasts were rather clumsy, as you may
guess; but Dorothy was surprised to observe how many things they could
do with their stiff, heavy hoofs.
Some of the donkeys were white, some were brown, or gray, or black,
or spotted; but their hair was sleek and smooth and their broad collars
and caps gave them a neat, if whimsical, appearance.
"This is a nice way to welcome visitors, I must say!" remarked the
shaggy man, in a reproachful tone.
"Oh, we did not mean to be impolite," replied a grey donkey which had
not spoken before. "But you were not expected, nor did you send in
your visiting cards, as it is proper to do."
"There is some truth in that," admitted the shaggy man; "but, now
you are informed that we are important and distinguished travelers,
I trust you will accord us proper consideration."
These big words delighted the donkeys, and made them bow to the shaggy
man with great respect. Said the grey one:
"You shall be taken before his great and glorious Majesty King
Kik-a-bray, who will greet you as becomes your exalted stations."
"That's right," answered Dorothy. "Take us to some one who
knows something."
"Oh, we all know something, my child, or we shouldn't be donkeys,"
asserted the grey one, with dignity.
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