So fast and so well did he work that by the time the mice began to arrive the truck was all ready for them.
They came from all directions, and there were thousands of them: big mice and little mice and middle-sized mice; and each one brought a piece of string in his mouth.

It was about this time that Dorothy woke from her long sleep and opened her eyes.

She was greatly astonished to find herself lying upon the grass, with thousands of mice standing around and looking at her timidly.

But the Scarecrow told her about everything, and turning to the dignified little Mouse, he said: "Permit me to introduce to you her Majesty, the Queen." Dorothy nodded gravely and the Queen made a curtsy, after which she became quite friendly with the little girl.
The Scarecrow and the Woodman now began to fasten the mice to the truck, using the strings they had brought.

One end of a string was tied around the neck of each mouse and the other end to the truck.