"But Father!" began the Prince.
"Not another word or you'll be dipped!" rumbled the King of Pumperdirik. "I'm not going to have my kingdom disappearing if I can help it!"
"You mean if I can help it," muttered Pompadore gloomily.
"This is ridiculous!" stormed the Elegant Elephant, as the Prime Pumper rushed importantly out of the room. "Don't you know that this country of ours is only a small part of the great Kingdom of Oz? There must be hundreds of Princesses for Pompadore to choose from. Why should he not wed Ozma, the princess of us all? Haven't you read any Oz history? Have you never heard of the wonderful Emerald City ? Let Pompadore start out at once. I, myself, will accompany him, and if Ozma refuses to marry him—well"—the Elegant Elephant drew himself up—"I will carry her off—that's all!"
"It's a long way to the Emerald City," mused Queen Pozy, "but still—"
"Yes, and what is to become of us in the meantime pray? While you are wandering all over Oz we can disappear I suppose! No Sir! Not one step do you go out of Pumperdink. Faleero is the Proper Princess and Pompadore shall marry her!" said Pompus.
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