It puzzled me to answer
that properly, until I had looked over some of the letters I have
received. My sister, who is writing this for me, reads me the Oz
books, but I wish I could read them myself." Always your
loving and grateful friend,
L. FRANK BAUM. But
then, these two quaint persons never slept. Why should they sleep, when
they never tired? he asked. asked Woot the Wanderer, after a moment's thought. "Very good!" "Tell me who you are, and whence you come." "That is not kind of them," declared the Tin Woodman. "So do I," added the Scarecrow, nodding. cried the Emperor of the Winkies; "how careless of me
not to remember that wanderers are usually hungry. "That," replied the tin man, "is a long story." "The longer the better," said the boy. asked Woot. "How dreadful!" cried Woot the Wanderer. "He was, indeed," admitted the Emperor. But, alas! "But Nimmie Amee found me. There is no temper
in your new head, so you will not get angry with me. "I think she was a very nice girl," said Woot the Wanderer. "I see," said the boy, thoughtfully. She said she still loved
me, but I found that I no longer loved her. My tin body contained no
heart, and without a heart no one can love. asked Woot. There I stood, unable to move hand
or foot. "No," said the Scarecrow, correcting him, "Dorothy says the Witch
turned to dust, and the wind scattered the dust in every direction." asked the boy. It
can't be a very Kind Heart, you know." "Why not?" demanded the Emperor. "Will you accompany me on this errand?" asked the Tin Emperor. "Beautiful things may be admired, if not loved," asserted the Tin Man. "Flowers are beautiful, for instance, but we are not inclined to marry
them. Duty, on the contrary, is a bugle call to action, whether you are
inclined to act, or not. In this case, I obey the bugle call of duty." "I don't hear any bugle, but when do we
go?" "As soon as we can get ready," answered the Emperor. His hands were white
cotton gloves stuffed with fine straw. asked the boy. "Why, the Country will run itself," answered the Emperor. announced the Tin Woodman,
proudly. "I shall have a tin gown made for her, with tin ruffles and
tucks on it, and she shall have tin slippers, and tin earrings and
bracelets, and wear a tin crown on her head. "I think not," was the reply. "Why, that is easy," the Tin Man assured him. "That may prove a dangerous journey," replied the boy. "I used to live
in one of the top corners of the Gillikin Country, near to Oogaboo, and
I have been told that in this northland country are many people whom it
is not pleasant to meet. The safest way is the best way, even for one who is brave
and determined." "Do not worry, for we shall not go far to the north," said the Emperor. "You two miss a great deal by not eating," he said to his companions. "It is true," responded the Scarecrow. Of course Woot and the Tin Woodman now
listened, because they could not do otherwise--unless they rudely ran
away from their stuffed comrade. It creaks when I walk,
And it thrills when I talk,
And its fragrance is fine, for a fact. asked Woot, rubbing the sleep from his eyes
with his knuckles and giving three wide yawns to prove he was fully
awake. "A Sign," said the Tin Woodman. "A Sign, and another path." They wore no
clothes on their puffy bodies, nor had they any hair. Their
noses were as puffy as the rest of them. "Are they rubber, do you think?" asked the Scarecrow, who noticed that
the creatures bounded, as they moved, and seemed almost as light as air. cried the biggest Loon of all; "we've got 'em safe; so let's
carry 'em to King Bal and have 'em tried, and condemned and
perforated!" I see 'em. "I'm 'fraid so, your Majesty. "Keep your advice to yourself," said the monarch, in a peeved tone. "Who's King here, anyhow? "There!" Get the pump working,
some of you, and blow him up again." "All right," grumbled the King. "Get to work, Til," commanded King Bal. "We captured them," replied one of the Loons. "Perhaps we'll condemn 'em and puncture 'em," answered the King. Let's try it, and see." "No, no!" yelled Panta, "I'm not big enough yet." "You're as big as you're going to be," declared the King. "If we do we'll break your skin," replied the King. "Now pump up the other one," ordered the King. "Very well done, my Wanderer," said the Tin Woodman. the boy asked his companions. "Let him alone," suggested the Scarecrow. "No," said the Tin Woodman, "that would not be just fair. "Well said, my friend," agreed tile Scarecrow. The
castle was high and broad and long, but had no turrets and towers. "Looks to me as if nobody lived there." "If friendly people happen to live here," said Woot. "I shall be glad
of a bed; but should enemies occupy the place, I prefer to sleep upon
the ground." "Yes, yes," said the Tin Emperor, nodding; "I also remember Mr. Yoop. It had closed of its own accord, as if by magic. It grew brighter, until they could
see their surroundings distinctly. She continued eating,
but smiled in a curious way as she looked at them. said she, buttering
another biscuit. asked Woot, looking gravely at the big woman. "Wicked enemies. Often he kicked me on my shins, when I wouldn't wait on him. inquired Woot. But I am not your enemy; not yet, anyhow. asked the Tin Woodman, in amazement. "She was," said the Giantess; "but now she's a canary-bird. inquired Woot, who had heard tales of lovely
Polychrome and was much interested in her. "We are very important people," declared the Tin Woodman. "All the better," she replied. For I mean to keep you here as long as I live, to amuse
me when I get lonely. And," she added slowly, "in this Valley no one
ever dies." "Let them come," she returned, with an accent of scorn. asked Woot earnestly. "No," said Woot, "I prefer to remain as I am." "You are little, and you're weak; as you
are, you're not much account, anyhow. she
replied. "I don't eat, thank you," said the Scarecrow. "Nor do I," said the Tin Woodman. Also Woot
had to tell his story, which was very simple and did not take long. "But Ozma is a fairy," said the Tin Woodman, "and therefore she is very
powerful. Also, we are under Ozma's protection, and to injure us in any
way would make her extremely angry." Good night, and pleasant
dreams." she asked Woot. Which would
you prefer, Woot the Wanderer?" "Your magic food might taste good, but I'm afraid of it." asked the Scarecrow, uneasily. But he was still tin. He was a Tin Owl, with tin legs and beak
and eyes and feathers. And, on my word, a Tin Owl is so
rare and pretty that it is an improvement on the ordinary bird. I did
not intend to make you tin, but I forgot to wish you to be meat. He had worried more over
what might happen to Woot than to himself, but now he began to worry
about himself. It may
even be called rude, considering we are your guests." "You are not guests, for I did not invite you here," she replied. We threw ourselves upon your
mercy, so to speak, and we now find you have no mercy. she asked, frowning. "Oh, indeed! Woot was amazed, but he was also thoroughly frightened. "No, of course not," growled the Scarecrow in the Bear's form; "but I
don't like walking on four legs; it's undignified." "Consider my humiliation!" chirped the Tin Owl, trying to settle its
tin feathers smoothly with its tin beak. "And I can't see very well,
either. So now," she added, turning to the boy, "it is your turn." "Don't you think you'd better leave me as I am?" asked Woot in a
trembling voice. "No," she replied, "I'm going to make a Monkey of you. His hands and feet were now those of a monkey. He
realized he really was a monkey, and his first feeling was one of
anger. "Very good," said the Giantess. "Quite comfortable," said the Owl. "I don't like it, to be sure, but
I'm not going to allow my new form to make me unhappy. "You are only good to make me laugh," replied the Giantess. asked; the bird, in a
sweet, low voice. "There!" "How dreadful it all is!" sighed the Canary. But how did she
manage to get you, Polychrome?" "Had I been awake, I could easily have protected myself." "You cannot open any door or window in this enchanted castle unless you
are wearing the Magic Apron," said the Canary. asked the Tin Owl, in a curious voice. "The lace one, which the Giantess always wears. cried Woot the Monkey. And do not forget,
before you escape, to take me with you. Once I am out of the power of
the Giantess, I may discover a way to save us all." "No," declared Polychrome, "I cannot advise you as to that. The little Brown Bear curled up in a corner and lay still all
day. asked the Green Monkey. "Yes, for I've been watching her for weeks," said the Canary. "Well, we have escaped the big woman, to be sure," remarked the Green
Monkey, "but we still wear the awful forms the cruel yookoohoo gave us. "I'm hungry," said Woot, when he wakened, for his knapsack of food had
been left behind at the castle. "There is no use in your lugging my cage any farther," declared the
Canary. "Let me out, and throw the cage away. Also I can search for water, and
tell you where to find it." They agreed to this and promptly set off, this time moving more
deliberately. "There is some truth in that, my friend," remarked the Brown Bear. "Consider my case, please," said Woot. It lies in the Quadling Country, you
know, so it is a good way from here." So they continued on to the edge of the forest,
which consisted of many tall and beautiful trees. cried the Jaguar, in a disappointed voice; "then you must be
a magic Bear, or enchanted, and I must seek my breakfast from among
your companions." "My friends are enchanted, also," said the little Brown Bear. asked the Jaguar. "Yes. The Owl is tin, so you couldn't possibly eat him. cried the beast, with a long-drawn sigh of disappointment;
"he's gone, and now I shall have no breakfast." "No, indeed," answered the Jaguar. asked the Jaguar. "I am sure it would. "Give me a couple of fat rabbits," said the beast. No, indeed. "Well, three or four squirrels, then," pleaded the Jaguar. demanded the Canary, indignantly. asked the beast. "Not a tin one, you know, but
a real meat owl." "Give me a fish, then; there's a river a little way off," proposed the
Jaguar. asked the Canary. "He ought to like that." "There!" said the Scarecrow Bear, solemnly. Of course he had never seen Dragons
before, yet there was no mistaking them, for they were unlike any other
living creatures. "I'm hungry." "Why not?" asked the little Dragon. "How old are you now?" asked Woot, forgetting his own dangerous
position in his interest in the conversation. "Why, I'm--I'm--How old am I, Father?" asked the little Dragon. returned the big one, impatiently. "How old am I, Father?" "About six hundred and thirty, I believe. Ask your mother." "I didn't know you were here, and I didn't know I was going to fall
in," explained Woot. You're in no hurry, are you?" asked the great Dragon. "No, indeed," cried Woot. "Take your time. "He is too small," said the father. "To eat this one Green Monkey would
only serve to make you hungry for more, and there are no more." The littlest Dragon
darted after Woot and the others turned their unwieldy bodies in his
direction and followed, flashing from their eyes and mouths flames
which lighted up the entire cavern. "Oh, indeed!" returned the Green Monkey, in a tone both sorry and
startled. Farewell, Friend Monkey. There are too many dangers
lurking here to suit me, and Glinda may be able to restore us to our
proper forms." "If we turn south now," the Tin Owl replied, "we might go straight into
the Emerald City. "That is one of the penalties of having brains," remarked the Tin Owl
with a sigh. "I have had no brains since I was a man of meat, and so I
never worry. "Now I feel myself more safe," said the Scarecrow Bear. "I know this
country pretty well, having been made here by a Munchkin farmer and
having wandered over these lovely blue lands many times. asked Woot, the Green Monkey. "No," said Woot. "Jinjur is a girl," explained the Scarecrow Bear. "It was certainly a pleasant expression," agreed Woot. It was a good quality of
straw, too, and lasted me a long time." asked the Scarecrow Bear,
sitting on his haunches and regarding Tommy Kwikstep with a serious
look. "No; it was wished on me," replied Tommy, with a sigh. "I used to be
very active and loved to run errands for anyone who needed my services. I could run an errand
more quickly than any other boy, and so I was very proud of myself. Of course I
consented and, taking the medicine, I hurried away. It was a long
distance, mostly up hill, and my legs began to grow weary. You may count them, if you doubt
my word." "I hope so, too," said the Scarecrow. "That sounds very pretty," returned Tommy Kwikstep, "but if you had to
put on ten pair of trousers every morning, and tie up twenty shoes, you
would prefer not to be so distinguished." "No," said Tommy Kwikstep. "Then she wasn't Old Mombi," remarked the transformed Emperor. asked Woot. "Perhaps so, if I could run another errand for her and so earn another
wish." asked Polychrome the
Canary, perching upon the Green Monkey's shoulder to observe Tommy
Kwikstep more attentively. "I would, indeed," was the earnest reply. Leave me two of my legs, or I shall be worse off than
before." "I know," said the Canary. asked Woot the Monkey. The
front door stood open, but no one was inside. They looked through the fields for the
girl farmer, but she was nowhere to be seen. When she returns,
she will be greatly surprised." asked the
Green Monkey. "No, indeed; Jinjur is very generous. Help yourself to all you want,"
said the Scarecrow Bear. "Well, for my part, I am glad he did," responded the Canary. asked the Green Monkey earnestly. In them
lies our only hope. Unless they can help us, we must remain forever as
we are." "I feel the same way," announced the stuffed Bear. "She'd laugh till she cried," admitted the Tin Owl. "For my part, I'll
have to give up the notion of marrying Nimmie Amee, but I'll try not to
let that make me unhappy. But he found the opening
too small, and so was forced to drop down again. "Stop, Jinjur--stop!" cried the Brown Bear, when the broom again
threatened him. "Don't you know me? "Who is Mrs. "I was, Jinjur. cried Jinjur, amazed; "that Giantess must be a powerful
Sorceress, and as wicked as she is powerful." "She's a yookoohoo," said Polychrome. "I took you to be a lot of wild,
unmannerly animals, as was quite natural. Please use my house and all that I have, as if it were your
own." "Well, you need renovating, and that's what will happen to you, right
away. she commanded. "What are you going to do?" asked Woot. "Give you a good scrubbing," said Jinjur. Look at me, Woot; what am I?" Woot looked at her. "You're as pretty a girl as I've ever seen," he replied. That is, she tried hard to frown. The little dog's name was Toto, and he
was Dorothy's faithful companion. Oz was not always a fairyland, I am told. Ozma herself, being a real fairy, knew a lot of magic, but she only
used it to benefit her subjects. She asked Ozma about it, but Ozma did
not know. "Yes," answered Ozma, "she must be punished for this cruelty to our
friends, and to the poor boy who is with them." I may not succeed, but I shall do the best I can. Would you
like to go with me, Dorothy?" She merely told him where to go. asked Dorothy
"Don't you know?" returned the Canary. "No; for the first time we noticed you in the Magic Picture, you were
just a bird, as you are now. cried Dorothy. "How dreadful." "Ozma will help you, I'm sure," said Dorothy. she asked, addressing her old friend. "I don't like it," declared the Scarecrow Bear. "You have all been forced to endure a sad experience," said Ozma, "and
so I am anxious to do all in my power to break Mrs. Yoop's
enchantments. cried the Brown Bear, and tried clumsily to dance a jig of
delight. Anyhow, I shall
test my magic at once, and see if it will do what I have promised." "I shall have to
experiment on you, Polychrome, and I may fail in all my attempts." Finally, however, she
experimented in another way. "Never mind," she said to him. asked Woot, a sinking feeling at his heart. Ozma herself answered him. "Your form of enchantment, my poor boy," she said pityingly, "is
different from that of the others. "No," was the reply. asked Ozma. she
continued. "Leave me out of your magic, please," said Toto, with a reproachful
growl. "And I wouldn't become a dog," said Woot. "A green monkey is much
better than a dog, it seems to me." "That is only a matter of opinion," answered Toto. "Now, here's another idea," said the Scarecrow. cried Jinjur. "Leave me out of it," said Toto. "I won't do it." asked Jinjur, pleadingly. "No," said Toto. "I don't like that plan the least bit," declared Dorothy, "for then I
wouldn't have any little dog." "I don't want a green monkey," said Dorothy positively. "Don't speak of this again, I beg of you," said Woot. I've been a monkey for some time, now, and
I don't like it. Very
well, we do not wish to get rid of it. The magic
ceremonial was ended, and Ozma of Oz had triumphed over the wicked
Giantess. said Dorothy, as she drew a long
breath. "Anyhow, it serves her right," declared Dorothy, and all agreed with
her. "Why, she'll eat what other monkeys do," returned the Scarecrow. "She didn't worry about you,
and her condition is no worse than the condition she imposed on poor
Woot. "You are, indeed," answered the Scarecrow. "But I'm afraid you don't love Nimmie Amee," suggested Dorothy. asked Dorothy. "I'm quite sure of it, and that is why I am going to her to make her
happy. What do you think, Ozma?" She hinted, but she found he didn't take the hint. "He is simply wonderful," declared the Tin Woodman. "I shall be glad to make his acquaintance," said Woot. But after
we had oiled him up, he was as good as new and accompanied us to the
Emerald City." "You cannot be far from your old home, in that case," said Woot. "No; my little cabin stands not a great way off, but there is no
occasion for us to visit it. asked the boy. "She did, but she doesn't," was the reply. Lead
on, your Majesty, since you know the way, and we will follow." In one of his hands was held a long, gleaming sword. This tin man bore a sword, while the Tin
Woodman bore an axe. gasped Woot. There was no reply
"Can't you see he's rusted, just as you were once?" asked Polychrome,
laughing again. Thank you. I can now talk. asked Woot, when they had all watched this
strange tin person parade up and down the path and proudly flourish his
sword. cried the Tin Woodman, sadly perplexed; "how came you
to be made of tin?" When I lost my legs I went to the tinsmith,
Ku-Klip, and he made me some tin legs. When I lost my arms, Ku-Klip
made me tin arms, and when I lost my head he made me this fine one out
of tin. "She is called Nimmie Amee," said the Tin Soldier. "Not at first," admitted the Soldier. "That is me," said the Tin Woodman. She said a tin man appealed to
her artistic instincts more than an ordinary meat man, as I was then. She enchanted my sword, as I said, and then my troubles began. "The day of our wedding was set, and it turned out to be a rainy day. In my mind I composed poetry and sang songs, but not a sound
have I been able to utter. said the Scarecrow, heaving a stuffy, long sigh. "Well, you see I had promised to marry her, and I am an honest man and
always try to keep my promises. I didn't like to disappoint the poor
girl, who had been disappointed by one tin man already." "The girl should be permitted to choose her own husband," asserted
Polychrome. "You should both go to her and allow her to take her
choice. "May I ask your name, sir?" he continued. "Very well; and if we meet the Witch, we will both fight her--you with
your axe and I with my sword." "She would want company, of course, and so I believe she
has gone where other people live." proposed Polychrome. It was a pretty place, all painted dark blue with trimmings of lighter
blue. There was a neat blue fence around the yard and several blue
benches had been placed underneath the shady blue trees which marked
the line between forest and plain. There was a blue lawn before the
house, which was a good sized building. "My experience was much the same," said the Tin Soldier. "I used to
bring all the parts of me, which the enchanted sword had cut away, here
to the tinsmith, and Ku-Klip would put them into the barrel." inquired Woot. "Yes, the tin bodies are best," agreed the Tin Soldier. said the Tin Woodman, staring hard. Good morning, sir!" "You have the advantage of me," replied the Head. "No, of course not," said the other. "For, curious as it may seem to you, my memory
is not good since my separation from the rest of me. asked the Emperor. "I don't know." cried the Tin Woodman in astonishment. "Don't ask me," replied the Head. "For my part, I'm not anxious to
claim relationship with any common, manufactured article, like you. You
may be all right in your class, but your class isn't my class. You're
tin." If your hair was combed, you'd be
quite attractive." demanded the Head,
indignantly. "I used to keep it smooth and neat, when I had arms, but
after I was removed from the rest of me, my hair got mussed, and old
Ku-Klip never has combed it for me." "I'll speak to him about it," said the Tin Woodman. "Oh; do you think, then?" "I used to think." What
have you thought about, in all that time?" Then, of
course, I quit thinking." "Don't you know what happiness is?" But no other head was to
be found on any of the shelves. "And then to kiss it good-bye," added the Scarecrow. "And I don't see what right you folks have
to disturb my peace and comfort, either." "You belong to me," the Tin Woodman declared. "You and I are one." "We've been parted," asserted the Head. Sit down. Sit down, all of you--if you can
find anything to sit on--and tell me why you are here." Would you like me to--"
"No, indeed!" "No," said Woot, "we are not here to seek your skill, but have merely
come to you for information." "Yes, we know all about those Silver Shoes," said the Scarecrow. asked the Tin Woodman. "No, Nimmie Amee did not mention her friend's name, and I did not ask
her. asked Woot. showing them his finger, "it is as good
as ever it was. "Very true," said the Tin Soldier. "I quite agree with you," said the Tin Woodman. "Let me think a minute," replied Ku-Klip. inquired Woot. And he's quite a curiosity, too. asked the Tin Woodman
anxiously. After the body was completed, I glued two fine legs
and feet onto it. There was an extra leg in the barrel, but I could find only one
arm. declared the Tin Soldier, gloomily. "As an assistant," the old tinsmith continued, "Chopfyt was not a
success. Indeed, you are the only ones who know of it, and you may
keep the secret to yourselves, if you wish to." "Never mind Chopfyt," said the Scarecrow. It all depends on the weather. They shook their heads, and Polychrome laughed again and danced on
after them when they resumed their journey. "Why?" asked Polychrome, dancing around the group of travelers. "For my part," said the Tin Woodman, "I do not think at all, but allow
my velvet heart to guide me at all times." So I try not to think. But the others were solemn, feeling
they had been rebuked, and tramped on in silence. Yet there he stood, alone. He reached out his hands, but he could
not see them. cried the voice of the Tin Soldier. asked the Tin Woodman
reproachfully. "I did, but I couldn't see you," said the Tin Soldier. "It's the same way with me," admitted the Tin Woodman. "No, indeed," answered the Rainbow's Daughter; "we've all become
invisible." "How did it happen, do you suppose?" "Well, what are we to do about it?" "All right," said Woot, jumping up, "give me your hand, Polychrome. "Here," she answered. "Whistle, Woot, and keep whistling until I come
to you." But my joints all work, so I
guess I can walk." "I smell straw!" "I smell straw, and I'm a Hip-po-gy-raf who loves straw and
eats all he can find. Pooh, you're no good! "I don't like this invisible country," said Woot with a shudder. "Why?" asked the boy. she said, with another burst of merry laughter. Woot and the Scarecrow looked, and the tin men looked at themselves. "It was the collision," said the Tin Woodman regretfully. "You shouldn't have
stood where I was walking." "You shouldn't have walked where I was standing," replied the Tin
Woodman. "Yes, the ditch is the most important thing, just now," added Woot. Oh, how I love straw! said the Tin Woodman, warningly, "or I'll chop you with my
axe." said the Tin Soldier, "or I'll cut you with my sword." asked the Hip-po-gy-raf, in a disappointed
voice. "Well, we can go back again," suggested Woot. "True," said the Hip-po; "and if you do, you'll be as disappointed as I
am. That's some comfort, anyhow." the boy asked the beast. "Ah, I see you are a philosopher," remarked the Scarecrow. "No, I'm just a Hip-po-gy-raf," was the reply. We can sit on your big head, one at a time, and then you can lift us
across." "Yes; I can, it is true," answered the Hip-po; "but I refuse to do it. Unless--" he added, and stopped short. asked Polychrome. "No," said the Rainbow's Daughter, "that is too high a price to pay. "I know," agreed the Hip-po-gy-raf. "That's why I want it. If it was
old, musty straw, I wouldn't care for it." "Please lift us across," pleaded Polychrome. Give him my straw, and
carry the rest of me with you across the ditch. "Very well, then; you may keep your head," said the beast. "M-m-m-mum, but that was a fine dinner!" Sit on my
head, one at a time, and I'll land you safely on the other side." "What can we do about that leg, anyhow?" asked Woot, appealing to
Polychrome. cried the Emperor, again standing erect and strutting around to
show his fine figure. Thank you
very much." "Oh, yes; the hay," said Woot. "What are you waiting for, Captain
Fyter?" "It's a very small house," Woot declared. "The way to find out is to knock on the door and ask," replied the Tin
Woodman. asked the boy. "No, indeed; Nimmie Amee is a full sized woman." "Let's go down," suggested the Scarecrow. He knocked again, but not a sound was heard. "Then someone surely lives here," said Woot, and knocked again. "Oh; it's a pig!" If you are butchers, you'd better run away and
avoid trouble." "We are not butchers," the Tin Woodman assured her. As for me, I'm rather hungry, but there is plenty of food
in your garden to satisfy me." Butchers have reason to be afraid of me, but you are
safe. asked the Scarecrow. "Help yourself," replied Professor Swyne. "A pleasant journey," said the Professor. asked the Scarecrow, who was a great friend of
children. "I know the Nine Tiny Piglets," said the Tin Woodman. "So do I," said the Scarecrow. inquired Mrs. Squealina Swyne, in an anxious
voice. asked Mrs. Swyne. "Everyone in the Emerald City is happy," said the Tin Woodman. he asked in surprise. he replied. In order to make sure of this, let me try another
place." "No," he said, "it isn't glass. "Air," replied a small voice beside him. "Oh; it's a wall, is it?" said the Tin Woodman. "Yes, it is really a wall," answered the rabbit, "and it is fully six
feet thick." inquired Captain Fyter, the Tin Soldier. "Oh, ever so high; perhaps a mile," said the rabbit. asked Woot. they all exclaimed in surprise. "Yes," answered the rabbit. asked the Tin Woodman anxiously. "Yes, indeed," said the rabbit. continued the
Emperor. "No; she seems quite happy," asserted the rabbit. Instead, he gazed at the Rainbow's Daughter admiringly. asked Polychrome. "Will you allow us to pass through it, if we are able to?" inquired
Polychrome. "Yes, indeed," answered the Blue Rabbit. at me,
which made me nervous. he asked eagerly. "I can try," answered Polychrome, with a smile. "I'm coming after, to see how you get along. Outside the hole, and waiting for him, he found all his friends. "So far, so good!" said Captain Fyter, sorrowfully. So make your choice." "So have I," announced Captain Fyter. cried the tin twins, together. asked the voice. They hesitated how to reply, so Woot answered for them:
"By means of magic." "Oh," said the unseen girl. "Are you friends, or foes?" they all exclaimed. cried the tin twins. "Don't you know me, Nimmie?" said the Tin Woodman. "Don't you know me, my dear?" said the Tin Soldier. "Come in," she said, leading the way inside. The man now turned toward them, still scowling. "You're just a mix-up," declared the Emperor. For, being my guests, it is not polite
for you to insult my husband." "Yes," said she. "So did I," said the Tin Soldier. "I could not know that, of course," asserted Nimmie Amee. "All I knew
was that neither of you came to marry me, as you had promised to do. But men are not scarce in the Land of Oz. He even
had a tin arm, and that reminded me of you the more. "But, listen, Nimmie Amee!" They looked at her bewildered, for the facts in the case were too
puzzling to be grasped at once. "It is all the fault of old Ku-Klip," muttered the Tin Woodman. There are times when I have to chide him gently, both with
my tongue and with my broomstick. But he is my husband, and I must make
the best of him." "No," said Nimmie Amee; "I think I'll keep the husband I now have. I
advise you to go back to your own homes and forget me, as I have
forgotten you." laughed Polychrome, dancing. asked the Tin Soldier. asked the Tin
Woodman. "Mercy, no," she answered. I don't care
for society, or pomp, or posing. "That sounds to me like a hint," he said. "For my part," said the Tin Soldier, "I am not sorry to be free. "Yes," agreed the Soldier, "we have much to be thankful for." "Come along, then!" "No," said Woot, "Chopfyt is a regular grouch. He might have wished us
a pleasant journey, at the very least." "It will save me
from getting soaked and soggy." "It will save me from rusting," said the Tin Soldier. asked Woot. "Why, she's gone!" It's wicked to be wasteful, isn't it?" It puzzled Ozma, for a time, to decide what to do with the Tin Soldier.