Number Nine is a 12-year-old Munchkin boy who served as the assistant, first to Jenny Jump in her style shop, and then to the Wizard of Oz in his laboratory.
Description[]
He is called Number Nine because he is the ninth of the fourteen children in his family. He is a handsome youth, deeply loyal, and hardworking (when he has to be). He maintains the age of twelve because it is the custom in his family: the boys choose to stop growing at twelve, the girls at ten.
History[]
Number Nine met Jenny Jump on the day of her arrival in Oz. He tossed his hat in the air, forgetting that its strap was under his chin; Jenny leapt into the sky on her fairy foot to bring him back down. After the rescue, Number Nine attached himself to Jenny — though she took advantage of him, working him like a slave. She had him wear whistling breeches that whistled louder the slower he moved — making it hard for him to get any rest. (The Wonder City of Oz)
After the Wizard re-ordered Jenny's personality and status, Number Nine secured a more desirable position, as the Wizard's assistant. (The Scalawagons of Oz)