Page:Kabumpo in Oz.djvu/293

"I wonder if we are in the North Central part," murmured Peg Amy, looking around anxiously. Now it happened the Country had crossed the Deadly Desert slantwise and although none of the party knew it they were scarcely a mile from Sun Top Mountain.

"I see a garden!" cried Wag, twitching his nose hungrily. "Come on, Prince, let's find some supper." With head down and dragging his feet, Pompa followed Wag. Kabumpo began jerking snappishly at some tree tops and Peg Amy sat down to think.

"I wish," thought the Wooden Doll, looking up at the bright star, "I wish I might have asked the box one little question." Peg Amy looked so solemn that Kabumpo stopped eating and regarded her anxiously.

"What's the matter?" asked the Elegant Elephant gruffly, for he quite counted on Peg's cheerfulness.

"I was thinking about it again," admitted Peg apologetically. "About being alive before. I'm sure I was alive before I was a doll, Kabumpo. I think I was a person, like Pompa," she continued softly.

"You're much better as you are," said the Elegant Elephant uneasily, for it had just occurred to him that the Magic Mirror would tell Peg who she was as well as the Question Box. But should he let her look in it? That was the question. Poor, tired old Kabumpo