“Have I no welcome here, pretty subjects?” she asked gently. “Have I not come from my Royal Bush to be your Ruler?”
“You were picked by mortals, without our consent,” replied the Moss Rose, coldly; “so we refuse to allow you to rule us.”
“Turn her out, Gardener, with the others!” cried the Tea Rose.
“Just a second, please!” called Shaggy, taking the Love Magnet from his pocket. “I guess this will win their love, Princess. Here—take it in your hand and let the roses see it.”
Princess Ozga took the Magnet and held it poised before the eyes of her subjects; but the Roses regarded it with calm disdain.
“Why, what’s the matter?” demanded Shaggy in surprise. “The Magnet never failed to work before!”
“I know,” said Betsy, nodding her head wisely. “These Roses have no hearts.”
“That’s it,” agreed the Gardener. “They’re pretty, and sweet, and alive; but still they are Roses. Their stems have thorns, but no hearts.”
The Princess sighed and handed the Magnet to the Shaggy Man.