The wax doll Queen spoke prettily to Dorothy and the others, and sent
her loving greetings to Ozma before she retired to the rooms prepared
for her. She had brought a birthday present wrapped in tissue paper
and tied with pink and blue ribbons, and one of the wooden soldiers
placed it on the table with the other gifts. But the Candy Man did
not go to his room, because he said he preferred to stay and talk with
the Scarecrow and Tik-tok and the Wizard and Tin Woodman, whom he
declared the queerest people he had ever met. Button-Bright was glad
the Candy Man stayed in the Throne Room, because the boy thought this
guest smelled deliciously of wintergreen and maple sugar.
The Braided Man now entered the room, having been fortunate enough to
receive an invitation to the Princess Ozma's party. He was from a
cave halfway between the Invisible Valley and the Country of the
Gargoyles, and his hair and whiskers were so long that he was obliged
to plait them into many braids that hung to his feet, and every braid
was tied with a bow of colored ribbon.
"I've brought Princess Ozma a box of flutters for her birthday," said
the Braided Man, earnestly; "and I hope she will like them, for they
are the finest quality I have ever made."
"I'm sure she will be greatly pleased," said Dorothy, who remembered
the Braided Man well; and the Wizard introduced the guest to the rest
of the company and made him sit down in a chair and keep quiet, for, if
allowed, he would talk continually about his flutters.
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