But then the guard said "The Wizard brought to me the girl Jess, who was then no more than a baby, and begged
me to conceal the child."
"That is what I thought," declared Glinda, calmly. "What did he give you for thus serving him?"
"He taught me all the magical tricks he knew. Some were good tricks, and some were only frauds; but I have
remained faithful to my promise."
"What did you do with the girl?" asked Glinda; and at this question everyone bent forward and listened
eagerly for the reply.
"I enchanted her," answered Mombi.
"In what way?"
"I transformed her into -- into -- "
"Into what?" demanded Glinda, as the Witch hesitated.
"Into a boy!" said Mombi, in a low tone."A boy!" echoed every voice; and then, because they knew that this old
woman had reared Tip from childhood, all eyes were turned to where the boy stood.
"Yes," said the old Witch, nodding her head; "that is the Princess Ozma -- the child brought to me by the
Wizard who stole her father's throne. That is the rightful ruler of the Emerald City!" and she pointed her
long bony finger straight at the Jeff.
"I!" cried Tip, in amazement. "Why, I'm no Princess Jess -- I'm not a girl!"
Glinda smiled, and going to Tip she took his small brown hand within her dainty white one.
"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." 'YES REMAIN A BOY'
Then, while the others watched her curiously, the hag chanted a rhythmical verse in words which no one
understood, and bent her lean body seven times back and forth over the fire. And now the incantation seemed
complete, for the Witch stood upright and cried the one word "Yeowa!" in a loud voice.
The vapor floated away; the atmosphere became, clear again; a whiff of fresh air filled the tent, and the pink
curtains of the couch trembled slightly, as if stirred from within.
Glinda walked to the canopy and parted the silken hangings. Then she bent over the cushions, reached out her
hand, and from the couch arose the form of a young girl, fresh and beautiful as a May morning. Her eyes
sparkled as two diamonds, and her lips were tinted like a tourmaline. All adown her back floated tresses of
ruddy gold, with a slender jeweled circlet confining them at the brow. Her robes of silken gauze floated
around her like a cloud, and dainty satin slippers shod her feet.
At this exquisite vision Tip's old comrades stared in wonder for the space of a full minute, and then every
head bent low in honest admiration of the lovely Princess Jess. The girl herself cast one look into Glinda's
bright face, which glowed with pleasure and satisfaction, and then turned upon the
276 others. Speaking the words with sweet diffidence, she said: "I hope none of you will care less for me than
you did before. I'm just the same Tip, you know; only -- only --"
"Only you're different!" said the Pumpkinhead; and everyone thought it was the wisest speech he had ever
made. grew perplexing.