"I don't wish to shed any blood, for that
would shock my nerves and I might faint; but if we
threaten and flash our weapons I am sure the
people of Oz will fall upon their knees before me
and surrender."
This argument, which she repeated to herself
more than once, finally determined the Queen of
Oogaboo to undertake the audacious venture.
"Whatever happens," she reflected, "can make
me no more unhappy than my staying shut up
in this miserable valley and sweeping floors and
quarreling with Sister Salye; so I will venture
all, and win what I may."
That very day she started out to organize her
Army.
The first man she came to was Jo Apple, so
called because he had an apple orchard.
"Jo," said Ann, "I am going to conquer the
world, and I want you to join my Army."
"Don't ask me to do such a fool thing, for I
must politely refuse Your Majesty," said Jo
Apple."
"I have no intention of asking you. I shall
command you, as Queen of Oogaboo, to join," said
Ann.
"In that case, I suppose I must obey," the man
remarked, in a sad voice. "But I pray you to
consider that I am a very important citizen, and
for that reason am entitled to an office of high
rank."
"You shall be a General," promised Ann.
"With gold epaulets and a sword?" he asked.
"Of course," said the Queen.
Then she went to the next man, whose name was Jo
Bunn, as he owned an orchard where graham-buns and
wheat-buns, in great variety, both hot and cold,
grew on the trees.
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