"I should be obliged to carry out my threat and punish them, and that would be an unpleasant and difficult thing to do.

I am sure it would be better for me to go peacefully, without an army and armed only with my authority as Ruler, and plead with them to obey me.

Then, if they prove obstinate I could resort to other means to win their obedience." "It's a ticklish thing, anyhow you look at it," sighed Dorothy.

"I'm sorry now that I noticed the Record in the Great Book." "But can't you realize, my dear, that I must do my duty, now that I am aware of this trouble ?" asked Ozma.

"I am fully determined to go at once to the Magic Isle of the Skeezers and to the enchanted mountain of the Flatheads, and prevent war and strife between their inhabitants.
The only question to decide is whether it is better for me to go alone, or to assemble a party of my friends and loyal supporters to accompany me." "If you go I want to go, too," declared Dorothy.