The big rabbit had just come right-side-up, when a still more amazing thing happened. The wooden body of Peg melted before their eyes and in its place stood the loveliest little Princess in the world. And yet, with all her beauty, she was strangely like the old Peg. Her eyes had the same merry twinkle and her mouth the same pleasant curve.
“Oh!” cried Princess Peg, holding her arms out to her friends. “Now I am the happiest person in Oz!”
Chapter 21
How It All Came About
Before Pompa had time to rise, a tall, richly clad old nobleman rushed into the room.
“Peg!” cried the old gentleman, clasping the Princess in his arms. “You are back! At last the enchantment is broken!”
For a moment the two forgot all about Pompa and the others. Then, gently disengaging herself, Peg seized the Prince’s hands and drew him to his feet.
“Uncle,” she said breathlessly, holding to Pompa with one hand and waving with the other at Kabumpo and Wag, “here are the friends responsible for my release. This is my Uncle Tozzyfog,” she explained quickly, and impulsively Uncle Tozzyfog sprang to his feet and embraced each in turn—even Kabumpo.
“Sit down,” begged the old nobleman, sinking into a golden chair and mopping his head with a flowered silk kerchief.
Pompa, who could not take his eyes from this new and wonderful Peg Amy, dropped into another chair. Kabumpo leaned limply against a pillar and Wag sat where he was, his nose twitching faster than ever and his ears stuck out straight behind him.