That is
the rightful ruler of the Emerald City!" and she pointed her long bony
finger straight at the boy.
"I!" cried Tip, in amazement. "Why, I'm no Princess Ozma -- I'm not a girl!"
Glinda smiled, and going to Tip she took his small brown hand within her
dainty white one.
270 Full page line-art drawing.
MOMBI POINTED HER LONG, BONY FINGER AT THE BOY
271
"You are not a girl just now" said she, gently, "because Mombi transformed
you into a boy. But you were born a girl, and also a Princess; so you must
resume your proper form, that you may become Queen of the Emerald City."
"Oh, let Jinjur be the Queen!" exclaimed Tip, ready to cry. "I want to stay
a boy, and travel with the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, and the Woggle-
Bug, and Jack -- yes! and my friend the Saw-Horse -- and the Gump! I don't
want to be a girl!"
"Never mind, old chap," said the Tin Woodman, soothingly; "it don't hurt to
be a girl, I'm told; and we will all remain your faithful friends just the
same. And, to be honest with you, I've always considered girls nicer than
boys."
"They're just as nice, anyway," added the Scarecrow, patting Tip
affectionately upon the head.
"And they are equally good students," proclaimed the Woggle-Bug. "I should
like to become your tutor, when you are transformed into a girl again."
"But -- see here!" said Jack Pumpkinhead, with a gasp: "if you become a
girl, you can't be my dear father any more!"
"No," answered Tip, laughing in spite of his anxiety.
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