Knight and began plucking sly wisps from the Scarecrow's boot top. For a short time there was absolute silence.
Then Sir Hokus, who had been thinking tremendously, with his elbows on his knees burst out, "Why not Sir Pudding, here? Why not this honest Punster. Who but Happy Toko deserves the throne?"
"The very person!" cried the Scarecrow, clasping his yellow gloves, and taking off his silver hat he set it impulsively upon the head of the fat little Silver Islander.
"He'll make a lovely Emperor," said Dorothy. "He's so kind-hearted and jolly. And now the Scarecrow can abdicate and come home to Oz."
They all looked triumphantly at the Imperial Punster, but Happy Toko, snatching off the royal hat, burst into tears.
"Don't leave me behind, amiable Master!" he sobbed disconsolately. "Oh, how I shall miss you!"
"But, don't you see," coaxed Dorothy, "the Scarecrow needs you here more than any place and think of all the fine clothes you will have and how rich you will be!"
"And, Tappy, my dear boy," said the Scarecrow, putting his arm around Happy Toko, "you might not
269
