The
sidewalks were superb marble slabs polished as smooth as glass, and
the curbs that separated the walks from the broad street were also set
thick with clustered emeralds. There were many people on these
walks--men, women and children--all dressed in handsome garments of
silk or satin or velvet, with beautiful jewels. Better even than
this: all seemed happy and contented, for their faces were smiling and
free from care, and music and laughter might be heard on every side.
"Don't they work at all?" asked the shaggy man.
"To be sure they work," replied the Tin Woodman; "this fair city
could not be built or cared for without labor, nor could the fruit and
vegetables and other food be provided for the inhabitants to eat. But
no one works more than half his time, and the people of Oz enjoy their
labors as much as they do their play."
"It's wonderful!" declared the shaggy man. "I do hope Ozma will let
me live here."
The chariot, winding through many charming streets, paused before a
building so vast and noble and elegant that even Button-Bright guessed
at once that it was the Royal Palace. Its gardens and ample grounds
were surrounded by a separate wall, not so high or thick as the wall
around the City, but more daintily designed and built all of green
marble. The gates flew open as the chariot appeared before them, and
the Cowardly Lion and Hungry Tiger trotted up a jeweled driveway to
the front door of the palace and stopped short.
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