"I'm the on-ly Pri-vate Sol-dier in the par-ty." Hearing this, the Citizen rose and bowed respectfully to the Clockwork Man.
"Pardon me for not realizing your importance before," said he.

"Will you oblige me by taking a seat beside me on my throne ?" Tik-Tok rose and walked over to the throne, all the Kings and Queens making way for him.

Then with clanking steps he mounted the platform and sat on the broad seat beside the Citizen.
Ann was greatly provoked at this mark of favor shown to the humble Clockwork Man, but Shaggy seemed much pleased that his old friend's importance had been recognized by the ruler of this remarkable country.
The Citizen now began to question Tik-Tok, who told in his mechanical voice about Shaggy's quest of his lost brother, and how Ozma of Oz had sent the Clockwork Man to assist him, and how they had fallen in with Queen Ann and her people from Oogaboo.

Also he told how Betsy and Hank and Polychrome and the Rose Princess had happened to join their party.
"And you intended to conquer Ruggedo, the Metal Monarch and King of the Nomes ?" asked the Citizen.
"Yes.

That seemed the on-ly thing for us to do," was Tik-Tok's reply.
"But he was too cle-ver for us.