"No,"sheanswered,"oneisoftin,andoneofstraw;oneisagirlandanotheraLion。Noneofthemisfittowork,soyoumaytearthemintosmallpieces。"
  "Verywell,"saidthewolf,andhedashedawayatfullspeed,followedbytheothers。
  ItwasluckytheScarecrowandtheWoodmanwerewideawakeandheardthewolvescoming。
  "Thisismyfight,"saidtheWoodman,"sogetbehindmeandI
  willmeetthemastheycome。"
  Heseizedhisaxe,whichhehadmadeverysharp,andastheleaderofthewolvescameontheTinWoodmanswunghisarmandchoppedthewolf’sheadfromitsbody,sothatitimmediatelydied。
  Assoonashecouldraisehisaxeanotherwolfcameup,andhealsofellunderthesharpedgeoftheTinWoodman’sweapon。Therewerefortywolves,andfortytimesawolfwaskilled,sothatatlasttheyalllaydeadinaheapbeforetheWoodman。
  ThenheputdownhisaxeandsatbesidetheScarecrow,whosaid,"Itwasagoodfight,friend。"
  TheywaiteduntilDorothyawokethenextmorning。Thelittlegirlwasquitefrightenedwhenshesawthegreatpileofshaggywolves,buttheTinWoodmantoldherall。Shethankedhimforsavingthemandsatdowntobreakfast,afterwhichtheystartedagainupontheirjourney。
  NowthissamemorningtheWickedWitchcametothedoorofhercastleandlookedoutwithheroneeyethatcouldseefaroff。
  Shesawallherwolveslyingdead,andthestrangersstilltravelingthroughhercountry。Thismadeherangrierthanbefore,andsheblewhersilverwhistletwice。
  Straightwayagreatflockofwildcrowscameflyingtowardher,enoughtodarkenthesky。
  AndtheWickedWitchsaidtotheKingCrow,"Flyatoncetothestrangers;peckouttheireyesandtearthemtopieces。"
  ThewildcrowsflewinonegreatflocktowardDorothyandhercompanions。Whenthelittlegirlsawthemcomingshewasafraid。
  ButtheScarecrowsaid,"Thisismybattle,soliedownbesidemeandyouwillnotbeharmed。"
  SotheyalllayuponthegroundexcepttheScarecrow,andhestoodupandstretchedouthisarms。Andwhenthecrowssawhimtheywerefrightened,asthesebirdsalwaysarebyscarecrows,anddidnotdaretocomeanynearer。ButtheKingCrowsaid:
  "Itisonlyastuffedman。Iwillpeckhiseyesout。"
  TheKingCrowflewattheScarecrow,whocaughtitbytheheadandtwisteditsneckuntilitdied。Andthenanothercrowflewathim,andtheScarecrowtwisteditsneckalso。Therewerefortycrows,andfortytimestheScarecrowtwistedaneck,untilatlastallwerelyingdeadbesidehim。Thenhecalledtohiscompanionstorise,andagaintheywentupontheirjourney。
  WhentheWickedWitchlookedoutagainandsawallhercrowslyinginaheap,shegotintoaterriblerage,andblewthreetimesuponhersilverwhistle。
  Forthwiththerewasheardagreatbuzzingintheair,andaswarmofblackbeescameflyingtowardher。
  "Gotothestrangersandstingthemtodeath!"commandedtheWitch,andthebeesturnedandflewrapidlyuntiltheycametowhereDorothyandherfriendswerewalking。ButtheWoodmanhadseenthemcoming,andtheScarecrowhaddecidedwhattodo。
  "TakeoutmystrawandscatteritoverthelittlegirlandthedogandtheLion,"hesaidtotheWoodman,"andthebeescannotstingthem。"ThistheWoodmandid,andasDorothylayclosebesidetheLionandheldTotoinherarms,thestrawcoveredthementirely。
  ThebeescameandfoundnoonebuttheWoodmantosting,sotheyflewathimandbrokeoffalltheirstingsagainstthetin,withouthurtingtheWoodmanatall。Andasbeescannotlivewhentheirstingsarebrokenthatwastheendoftheblackbees,andtheylayscatteredthickabouttheWoodman,likelittleheapsoffinecoal。
  ThenDorothyandtheLiongotup,andthegirlhelpedtheTinWoodmanputthestrawbackintotheScarecrowagain,untilhewasasgoodasever。Sotheystartedupontheirjourneyoncemore。
  TheWickedWitchwassoangrywhenshesawherblackbeesinlittleheapslikefinecoalthatshestampedherfootandtoreherhairandgnashedherteeth。Andthenshecalledadozenofherslaves,whoweretheWinkies,andgavethemsharpspears,tellingthemtogotothestrangersanddestroythem。
  TheWinkieswerenotabravepeople,buttheyhadtodoastheyweretold。SotheymarchedawayuntiltheycameneartoDorothy。ThentheLiongaveagreatroarandsprangtowardsthem,andthepoorWinkiesweresofrightenedthattheyranbackasfastastheycould。
  WhentheyreturnedtothecastletheWickedWitchbeatthemwellwithastrap,andsentthembacktotheirwork,afterwhichshesatdowntothinkwhatsheshoulddonext。Shecouldnotunderstandhowallherplanstodestroythesestrangershadfailed;
  butshewasapowerfulWitch,aswellasawickedone,andshesoonmadeuphermindhowtoact。
  Therewas,inhercupboard,aGoldenCap,withacircleofdiamondsandrubiesrunningroundit。ThisGoldenCaphadacharm。
  WhoeverowneditcouldcallthreetimesupontheWingedMonkeys,whowouldobeyanyordertheyweregiven。Butnopersoncouldcommandthesestrangecreaturesmorethanthreetimes。
  TwicealreadytheWickedWitchhadusedthecharmoftheCap。
  OncewaswhenshehadmadetheWinkiesherslaves,andsetherselftoruleovertheircountry。TheWingedMonkeyshadhelpedherdothis。ThesecondtimewaswhenshehadfoughtagainsttheGreatOzhimself,anddrivenhimoutofthelandoftheWest。
  TheWingedMonkeyshadalsohelpedherindoingthis。OnlyoncemorecouldsheusethisGoldenCap,forwhichreasonshedidnotliketodosountilallherotherpowerswereexhausted。Butnowthatherfiercewolvesandherwildcrowsandherstingingbeesweregone,andherslaveshadbeenscaredawaybytheCowardlyLion,shesawtherewasonlyonewaylefttodestroyDorothyandherfriends。
  SotheWickedWitchtooktheGoldenCapfromhercupboardandplacedituponherhead。Thenshestooduponherleftfootandsaidslowly:
  "Ep-pe,pep-pe,kak-ke!"
  Nextshestooduponherrightfootandsaid:
  "Hil-lo,hol-lo,hel-lo!"
  Afterthisshestooduponbothfeetandcriedinaloudvoice:
  "Ziz-zy,zuz-zy,zik!"
  Nowthecharmbegantowork。Theskywasdarkened,andalowrumblingsoundwasheardintheair。Therewasarushingofmanywings,agreatchatteringandlaughing,andthesuncameoutofthedarkskytoshowtheWickedWitchsurroundedbyacrowdofmonkeys,eachwithapairofimmenseandpowerfulwingsonhisshoulders。
  One,muchbiggerthantheothers,seemedtobetheirleader。
  HeflewclosetotheWitchandsaid,"Youhavecalledusforthethirdandlasttime。Whatdoyoucommand?"
  "GotothestrangerswhoarewithinmylandanddestroythemallexcepttheLion,"saidtheWickedWitch。"Bringthatbeasttome,forIhaveamindtoharnesshimlikeahorse,andmakehimwork。"
  "Yourcommandsshallbeobeyed,"saidtheleader。Then,withagreatdealofchatteringandnoise,theWingedMonkeysflewawaytotheplacewhereDorothyandherfriendswerewalking。
  SomeoftheMonkeysseizedtheTinWoodmanandcarriedhimthroughtheairuntiltheywereoveracountrythicklycoveredwithsharprocks。HeretheydroppedthepoorWoodman,whofellagreatdistancetotherocks,wherehelaysobatteredanddentedthathecouldneithermovenorgroan。
  OthersoftheMonkeyscaughttheScarecrow,andwiththeirlongfingerspulledallofthestrawoutofhisclothesandhead。
  Theymadehishatandbootsandclothesintoasmallbundleandthrewitintothetopbranchesofatalltree。
  TheremainingMonkeysthrewpiecesofstoutropearoundtheLionandwoundmanycoilsabouthisbodyandheadandlegs,untilhewasunabletobiteorscratchorstruggleinanyway。
  ThentheyliftedhimupandflewawaywithhimtotheWitch’scastle,wherehewasplacedinasmallyardwithahighironfencearoundit,sothathecouldnotescape。
  ButDorothytheydidnotharmatall。Shestood,withTotoinherarms,watchingthesadfateofhercomradesandthinkingitwouldsoonbeherturn。TheleaderoftheWingedMonkeysflewuptoher,hislong,hairyarmsstretchedoutandhisuglyfacegrinningterribly;buthesawthemarkoftheGoodWitch’skissuponherforeheadandstoppedshort,motioningtheothersnottotouchher。
  "Wedarenotharmthislittlegirl,"hesaidtothem,"forsheisprotectedbythePowerofGood,andthatisgreaterthanthePowerofEvil。AllwecandoistocarryhertothecastleoftheWickedWitchandleaveherthere。"
  So,carefullyandgently,theyliftedDorothyintheirarmsandcarriedherswiftlythroughtheairuntiltheycametothecastle,wheretheysetherdownuponthefrontdoorstep。
  ThentheleadersaidtotheWitch:
  "Wehaveobeyedyouasfaraswewereable。TheTinWoodmanandtheScarecrowaredestroyed,andtheLionistiedupinyouryard。
  Thelittlegirlwedarenotharm,northedogshecarriesinherarms。
  Yourpoweroverourbandisnowended,andyouwillneverseeusagain。"
  ThenalltheWingedMonkeys,withmuchlaughingandchatteringandnoise,flewintotheairandweresoonoutofsight。
  TheWickedWitchwasbothsurprisedandworriedwhenshesawthemarkonDorothy’sforehead,forsheknewwellthatneithertheWingedMonkeysnorshe,herself,darehurtthegirlinanyway。
  ShelookeddownatDorothy’sfeet,andseeingtheSilverShoes,begantotremblewithfear,forsheknewwhatapowerfulcharmbelongedtothem。AtfirsttheWitchwastemptedtorunawayfromDorothy;butshehappenedtolookintothechild’seyesandsawhowsimplethesoulbehindthemwas,andthatthelittlegirldidnotknowofthewonderfulpowertheSilverShoesgaveher。SotheWickedWitchlaughedtoherself,andthought,"Icanstillmakehermyslave,forshedoesnotknowhowtouseherpower。"
  ThenshesaidtoDorothy,harshlyandseverely:
  "Comewithme;andseethatyoumindeverythingItellyou,forifyoudonotIwillmakeanendofyou,asIdidoftheTinWoodmanandtheScarecrow。"
  Dorothyfollowedherthroughmanyofthebeautifulroomsinhercastleuntiltheycametothekitchen,wheretheWitchbadehercleanthepotsandkettlesandsweepthefloorandkeepthefirefedwithwood。
  Dorothywenttoworkmeekly,withhermindmadeuptoworkashardasshecould;forshewasgladtheWickedWitchhaddecidednottokillher。
  WithDorothyhardatwork,theWitchthoughtshewouldgointothecourtyardandharnesstheCowardlyLionlikeahorse;itwouldamuseher,shewassure,tomakehimdrawherchariotwhenevershewishedtogotodrive。ButassheopenedthegatetheLiongavealoudroarandboundedathersofiercelythattheWitchwasafraid,andranoutandshutthegateagain。
  "IfIcannotharnessyou,"saidtheWitchtotheLion,speakingthroughthebarsofthegate,"Icanstarveyou。
  YoushallhavenothingtoeatuntilyoudoasIwish。"
  SoafterthatshetooknofoodtotheimprisonedLion;
  buteverydayshecametothegateatnoonandasked,"Areyoureadytobeharnessedlikeahorse?"
  AndtheLionwouldanswer,"No。Ifyoucomeinthisyard,I
  willbiteyou。"
  ThereasontheLiondidnothavetodoastheWitchwishedwasthateverynight,whilethewomanwasasleep,Dorothycarriedhimfoodfromthecupboard。Afterhehadeatenhewouldliedownonhisbedofstraw,andDorothywouldliebesidehimandputherheadonhissoft,shaggymane,whiletheytalkedoftheirtroublesandtriedtoplansomewaytoescape。Buttheycouldfindnowaytogetoutofthecastle,foritwasconstantlyguardedbytheyellowWinkies,whoweretheslavesoftheWickedWitchandtooafraidofhernottodoasshetoldthem。
  Thegirlhadtoworkhardduringtheday,andoftentheWitchthreatenedtobeatherwiththesameoldumbrellashealwayscarriedinherhand。But,intruth,shedidnotdaretostrikeDorothy,becauseofthemarkuponherforehead。Thechilddidnotknowthis,andwasfulloffearforherselfandToto。OncetheWitchstruckTotoablowwithherumbrellaandthebravelittledogflewatherandbitherleginreturn。TheWitchdidnotbleedwhereshewasbitten,forshewassowickedthatthebloodinherhaddriedupmanyyearsbefore。
  Dorothy’slifebecameverysadasshegrewtounderstandthatitwouldbeharderthanevertogetbacktoKansasandAuntEmagain。
  Sometimesshewouldcrybitterlyforhours,withTotosittingatherfeetandlookingintoherface,whiningdismallytoshowhowsorryhewasforhislittlemistress。TotodidnotreallycarewhetherhewasinKansasortheLandofOzsolongasDorothywaswithhim;
  butheknewthelittlegirlwasunhappy,andthatmadehimunhappytoo。
  NowtheWickedWitchhadagreatlongingtohaveforherowntheSilverShoeswhichthegirlalwayswore。Herbeesandhercrowsandherwolveswerelyinginheapsanddryingup,andshehadusedupallthepoweroftheGoldenCap;butifshecouldonlygetholdoftheSilverShoes,theywouldgivehermorepowerthanalltheotherthingsshehadlost。ShewatchedDorothycarefully,toseeifsheevertookoffhershoes,thinkingshemightstealthem。
  Butthechildwassoproudofherprettyshoesthatshenevertookthemoffexceptatnightandwhenshetookherbath。TheWitchwastoomuchafraidofthedarktodaregoinDorothy’sroomatnighttotaketheshoes,andherdreadofwaterwasgreaterthanherfearofthedark,soshenevercamenearwhenDorothywasbathing。
  Indeed,theoldWitchnevertouchedwater,noreverletwatertouchherinanyway。
  Butthewickedcreaturewasverycunning,andshefinallythoughtofatrickthatwouldgiveherwhatshewanted。Sheplacedabarofironinthemiddleofthekitchenfloor,andthenbyhermagicartsmadetheironinvisibletohumaneyes。SothatwhenDorothywalkedacrossthefloorshestumbledoverthebar,notbeingabletoseeit,andfellatfulllength。
  Shewasnotmuchhurt,butinherfalloneoftheSilverShoescameoff;andbeforeshecouldreachit,theWitchhadsnatcheditawayandputitonherownskinnyfoot。
  Thewickedwomanwasgreatlypleasedwiththesuccessofhertrick,foraslongasshehadoneoftheshoessheownedhalfthepoweroftheircharm,andDorothycouldnotuseitagainsther,evenhadsheknownhowtodoso。
  Thelittlegirl,seeingshehadlostoneofherprettyshoes,grewangry,andsaidtotheWitch,"Givemebackmyshoe!"
  "Iwillnot,"retortedtheWitch,"foritisnowmyshoe,andnotyours。"
  "Youareawickedcreature!"criedDorothy。"Youhavenorighttotakemyshoefromme。"
  "Ishallkeepit,justthesame,"saidtheWitch,laughingather,"andsomedayIshallgettheotheronefromyou,too。"
  ThismadeDorothysoveryangrythatshepickedupthebucketofwaterthatstoodnearanddasheditovertheWitch,wettingherfromheadtofoot。
  Instantlythewickedwomangavealoudcryoffear,andthen,asDorothylookedatherinwonder,theWitchbegantoshrinkandfallaway。
  "Seewhatyouhavedone!"shescreamed。"InaminuteIshallmeltaway。"
  "I’mverysorry,indeed,"saidDorothy,whowastrulyfrightenedtoseetheWitchactuallymeltingawaylikebrownsugarbeforeherveryeyes。
  "Didn’tyouknowwaterwouldbetheendofme?"askedtheWitch,inawailing,despairingvoice。
  "Ofcoursenot,"answeredDorothy。"HowshouldI?"
  "Well,inafewminutesIshallbeallmelted,andyouwillhavethecastletoyourself。Ihavebeenwickedinmyday,butI
  neverthoughtalittlegirllikeyouwouldeverbeabletomeltmeandendmywickeddeeds。Lookout——hereIgo!"
  WiththesewordstheWitchfelldowninabrown,melted,shapelessmassandbegantospreadoverthecleanboardsofthekitchenfloor。Seeingthatshehadreallymeltedawaytonothing,Dorothydrewanotherbucketofwaterandthrewitoverthemess。
  Shethensweptitalloutthedoor。Afterpickingoutthesilvershoe,whichwasallthatwasleftoftheoldwoman,shecleanedanddrieditwithacloth,andputitonherfootagain。Then,beingatlastfreetodoasshechose,sheranouttothecourtyardtotelltheLionthattheWickedWitchoftheWesthadcometoanend,andthattheywerenolongerprisonersinastrangeland。
  13。TheRescueTheCowardlyLionwasmuchpleasedtohearthattheWickedWitchhadbeenmeltedbyabucketofwater,andDorothyatonceunlockedthegateofhisprisonandsethimfree。Theywentintogethertothecastle,whereDorothy’sfirstactwastocallalltheWinkiestogetherandtellthemthattheywerenolongerslaves。
  TherewasgreatrejoicingamongtheyellowWinkies,fortheyhadbeenmadetoworkhardduringmanyyearsfortheWickedWitch,whohadalwaystreatedthemwithgreatcruelty。Theykeptthisdayasaholiday,thenandeverafter,andspentthetimeinfeastinganddancing。
  "Ifourfriends,theScarecrowandtheTinWoodman,wereonlywithus,"saidtheLion,"Ishouldbequitehappy。"
  "Don’tyousupposewecouldrescuethem?"askedthegirlanxiously。
  "Wecantry,"answeredtheLion。
  SotheycalledtheyellowWinkiesandaskedthemiftheywouldhelptorescuetheirfriends,andtheWinkiessaidthattheywouldbedelightedtodoallintheirpowerforDorothy,whohadsetthemfreefrombondage。SoshechoseanumberoftheWinkieswholookedasiftheyknewthemost,andtheyallstartedaway。TheytraveledthatdayandpartofthenextuntiltheycametotherockyplainwheretheTinWoodmanlay,allbatteredandbent。Hisaxewasnearhim,butthebladewasrustedandthehandlebrokenoffshort。
  TheWinkiesliftedhimtenderlyintheirarms,andcarriedhimbacktotheYellowCastleagain,Dorothysheddingafewtearsbythewayatthesadplightofheroldfriend,andtheLionlookingsoberandsorry。WhentheyreachedthecastleDorothysaidtotheWinkies:
  "Areanyofyourpeopletinsmiths?"
  "Oh,yes。Someofusareverygoodtinsmiths,"theytoldher。
  "Thenbringthemtome,"shesaid。Andwhenthetinsmithscame,bringingwiththemalltheirtoolsinbaskets,sheinquired,"CanyoustraightenoutthosedentsintheTinWoodman,andbendhimbackintoshapeagain,andsolderhimtogetherwhereheisbroken?"
  ThetinsmithslookedtheWoodmanovercarefullyandthenansweredthattheythoughttheycouldmendhimsohewouldbeasgoodasever。Sotheysettoworkinoneofthebigyellowroomsofthecastleandworkedforthreedaysandfournights,hammeringandtwistingandbendingandsolderingandpolishingandpoundingatthelegsandbodyandheadoftheTinWoodman,untilatlasthewasstraightenedoutintohisoldform,andhisjointsworkedaswellasever。Tobesure,therewereseveralpatchesonhim,butthetinsmithsdidagoodjob,andastheWoodmanwasnotavainmanhedidnotmindthepatchesatall。
  When,atlast,hewalkedintoDorothy’sroomandthankedherforrescuinghim,hewassopleasedthathewepttearsofjoy,andDorothyhadtowipeeverytearcarefullyfromhisfacewithherapron,sohisjointswouldnotberusted。Atthesametimeherowntearsfellthickandfastatthejoyofmeetingheroldfriendagain,andthesetearsdidnotneedtobewipedaway。AsfortheLion,hewipedhiseyessooftenwiththetipofhistailthatitbecamequitewet,andhewasobligedtogooutintothecourtyardandholditinthesuntillitdried。
  "IfweonlyhadtheScarecrowwithusagain,"saidtheTinWoodman,whenDorothyhadfinishedtellinghimeverythingthathadhappened,"Ishouldbequitehappy。"
  "Wemusttrytofindhim,"saidthegirl。
  SoshecalledtheWinkiestohelpher,andtheywalkedallthatdayandpartofthenextuntiltheycametothetalltreeinthebranchesofwhichtheWingedMonkeyshadtossedthecarecrow’sclothes。
  Itwasaverytalltree,andthetrunkwassosmooththatnoonecouldclimbit;buttheWoodmansaidatonce,"I’llchopitdown,andthenwecangettheScarecrow’sclothes。"
  NowwhilethetinsmithshadbeenatworkmendingtheWoodmanhimself,anotheroftheWinkies,whowasagoldsmith,hadmadeanaxe-handleofsolidgoldandfittedittotheWoodman’saxe,insteadoftheoldbrokenhandle。Otherspolishedthebladeuntilalltherustwasremovedanditglistenedlikeburnishedsilver。
  Assoonashehadspoken,theTinWoodmanbegantochop,andinashorttimethetreefelloverwithacrash,whereupontheScarecrow’sclothesfelloutofthebranchesandrolledoffontheground。
  DorothypickedthemupandhadtheWinkiescarrythembacktothecastle,wheretheywerestuffedwithnice,cleanstraw;andbehold!herewastheScarecrow,asgoodasever,thankingthemoverandoveragainforsavinghim。
  Nowthattheywerereunited,DorothyandherfriendsspentafewhappydaysattheYellowCastle,wheretheyfoundeverythingtheyneededtomakethemcomfortable。
  ButonedaythegirlthoughtofAuntEm,andsaid,"WemustgobacktoOz,andclaimhispromise。"
  "Yes,"saidtheWoodman,"atlastIshallgetmyheart。"
  "AndIshallgetmybrains,"addedtheScarecrowjoyfully。
  "AndIshallgetmycourage,"saidtheLionthoughtfully。
  "AndIshallgetbacktoKansas,"criedDorothy,clappingherhands。
  "Oh,letusstartfortheEmeraldCitytomorrow!"
  Thistheydecidedtodo。ThenextdaytheycalledtheWinkiestogetherandbadethemgood-bye。TheWinkiesweresorrytohavethemgo,andtheyhadgrownsofondoftheTinWoodmanthattheybeggedhimtostayandruleoverthemandtheYellowLandoftheWest。
  Findingtheyweredeterminedtogo,theWinkiesgaveTotoandtheLioneachagoldencollar;andtoDorothytheypresentedabeautifulbraceletstuddedwithdiamonds;andtotheScarecrowtheygaveagold-headedwalkingstick,tokeephimfromstumbling;andtotheTinWoodmantheyofferedasilveroil-can,inlaidwithgoldandsetwithpreciousjewels。
  EveryoneofthetravelersmadetheWinkiesaprettyspeechinreturn,andallshookhandswiththemuntiltheirarmsached。
  DorothywenttotheWitch’scupboardtofillherbasketwithfoodforthejourney,andthereshesawtheGoldenCap。Shetrieditonherownheadandfoundthatitfittedherexactly。ShedidnotknowanythingaboutthecharmoftheGoldenCap,butshesawthatitwaspretty,soshemadeuphermindtowearitandcarryhersunbonnetinthebasket。
  Then,beingpreparedforthejourney,theyallstartedfortheEmeraldCity;andtheWinkiesgavethemthreecheersandmanygoodwishestocarrywiththem。
  14。TheWingedMonkeysYouwillremembertherewasnoroad——notevenapathway——
  betweenthecastleoftheWickedWitchandtheEmeraldCity。
  WhenthefourtravelerswentinsearchoftheWitchshehadseenthemcoming,andsosenttheWingedMonkeystobringthemtoher。
  Itwasmuchhardertofindtheirwaybackthroughthebigfieldsofbuttercupsandyellowdaisiesthanitwasbeingcarried。
  Theyknew,ofcourse,theymustgostraighteast,towardtherisingsun;andtheystartedoffintherightway。Butatnoon,whenthesunwasovertheirheads,theydidnotknowwhichwaseastandwhichwaswest,andthatwasthereasontheywerelostinthegreatfields。Theykeptonwalking,however,andatnightthemooncameoutandshonebrightly。Sotheylaydownamongthesweetsmellingyellowflowersandsleptsoundlyuntilmorning——
  allbuttheScarecrowandtheTinWoodman。
  Thenextmorningthesunwasbehindacloud,buttheystartedon,asiftheywerequitesurewhichwaytheyweregoing。
  "Ifwewalkfarenough,"saidDorothy,"Iamsureweshallsometimecometosomeplace。"
  Butdaybydaypassedaway,andtheystillsawnothingbeforethembutthescarletfields。TheScarecrowbegantogrumbleabit。
  "Wehavesurelylostourway,"hesaid,"andunlesswefinditagainintimetoreachtheEmeraldCity,Ishallnevergetmybrains。"
  "NorImyheart,"declaredtheTinWoodman。"ItseemstomeI
  canscarcelywaittillIgettoOz,andyoumustadmitthisisaverylongjourney。"
  "Yousee,"saidtheCowardlyLion,withawhimper,"Ihaven’tthecouragetokeeptrampingforever,withoutgettinganywhereatall。"
  ThenDorothylostheart。Shesatdownonthegrassandlookedathercompanions,andtheysatdownandlookedather,andTotofoundthatforthefirsttimeinhislifehewastootiredtochaseabutterflythatflewpasthishead。SoheputouthistongueandpantedandlookedatDorothyasiftoaskwhattheyshoulddonext。
  "Supposewecallthefieldmice,"shesuggested。"TheycouldprobablytellusthewaytotheEmeraldCity。"
  "Tobesuretheycould,"criedtheScarecrow。"Whydidn’twethinkofthatbefore?"
  DorothyblewthelittlewhistleshehadalwayscarriedabouthernecksincetheQueenoftheMicehadgivenittoher。Inafewminutestheyheardthepatteringoftinyfeet,andmanyofthesmallgraymicecamerunninguptoher。AmongthemwastheQueenherself,whoasked,inhersqueakylittlevoice:
  "WhatcanIdoformyfriends?"
  "Wehavelostourway,"saidDorothy。"CanyoutelluswheretheEmeraldCityis?"
  "Certainly,"answeredtheQueen;"butitisagreatwayoff,foryouhavehaditatyourbacksallthistime。"ThenshenoticedDorothy’sGoldenCap,andsaid,"Whydon’tyouusethecharmoftheCap,andcalltheWingedMonkeystoyou?TheywillcarryyoutotheCityofOzinlessthananhour。"
  "Ididn’tknowtherewasacharm,"answeredDorothy,insurprise。"Whatisit?"
  "ItiswritteninsidetheGoldenCap,"repliedtheQueenoftheMice。"ButifyouaregoingtocalltheWingedMonkeyswemustrunaway,fortheyarefullofmischiefandthinkitgreatfuntoplagueus。"
  "Won’ttheyhurtme?"askedthegirlanxiously。
  "Oh,no。TheymustobeytheweareroftheCap。Good-bye!"
  Andshescamperedoutofsight,withallthemicehurryingafterher。
  DorothylookedinsidetheGoldenCapandsawsomewordswrittenuponthelining。These,shethought,mustbethecharm,soshereadthedirectionscarefullyandputtheCapuponherhead。
  "Ep-pe,pep-pe,kak-ke!"shesaid,standingonherleftfoot。
  "Whatdidyousay?"askedtheScarecrow,whodidnotknowwhatshewasdoing。
  "Hil-lo,hol-lo,hel-lo!"Dorothywenton,standingthistimeonherrightfoot。
  "Hello!"repliedtheTinWoodmancalmly。
  "Ziz-zy,zuz-zy,zik!"saidDorothy,whowasnowstandingonbothfeet。Thisendedthesayingofthecharm,andtheyheardagreatchatteringandflappingofwings,asthebandofWingedMonkeysflewuptothem。
  TheKingbowedlowbeforeDorothy,andasked,"Whatisyourcommand?"
  "WewishtogototheEmeraldCity,"saidthechild,"andwehavelostourway。"
  "Wewillcarryyou,"repliedtheKing,andnosoonerhadhespokenthantwooftheMonkeyscaughtDorothyintheirarmsandflewawaywithher。OtherstooktheScarecrowandtheWoodmanandtheLion,andonelittleMonkeyseizedTotoandflewafterthem,althoughthedogtriedhardtobitehim。
  TheScarecrowandtheTinWoodmanwereratherfrightenedatfirst,fortheyrememberedhowbadlytheWingedMonkeyshadtreatedthembefore;buttheysawthatnoharmwasintended,sotheyrodethroughtheairquitecheerfully,andhadafinetimelookingattheprettygardensandwoodsfarbelowthem。
  DorothyfoundherselfridingeasilybetweentwoofthebiggestMonkeys,oneofthemtheKinghimself。Theyhadmadeachairoftheirhandsandwerecarefulnottohurther。
  "WhydoyouhavetoobeythecharmoftheGoldenCap?"sheasked。
  "Thatisalongstory,"answeredtheKing,withaWingedlaugh;
  "butaswehavealongjourneybeforeus,Iwillpassthetimebytellingyouaboutit,ifyouwish。"
  "Ishallbegladtohearit,"shereplied。
  "Once,"begantheleader,"wewereafreepeople,livinghappilyinthegreatforest,flyingfromtreetotree,eatingnutsandfruit,anddoingjustaswepleasedwithoutcallinganybodymaster。Perhapssomeofuswererathertoofullofmischiefattimes,flyingdowntopullthetailsoftheanimalsthathadnowings,chasingbirds,andthrowingnutsatthepeoplewhowalkedintheforest。Butwewerecarelessandhappyandfulloffun,andenjoyedeveryminuteoftheday。
  Thiswasmanyyearsago,longbeforeOzcameoutofthecloudstoruleoverthisland。
  "Therelivedherethen,awayattheNorth,abeautifulprincess,whowasalsoapowerfulsorceress。Allhermagicwasusedtohelpthepeople,andshewasneverknowntohurtanyonewhowasgood。
  HernamewasGayelette,andshelivedinahandsomepalacebuiltfromgreatblocksofruby。Everyonelovedher,buthergreatestsorrowwasthatshecouldfindnoonetoloveinreturn,sinceallthemenweremuchtoostupidanduglytomatewithonesobeautifulandwise。Atlast,however,shefoundaboywhowashandsomeandmanlyandwisebeyondhisyears。Gayelettemadeuphermindthatwhenhegrewtobeamanshewouldmakehimherhusband,soshetookhimtoherrubypalaceandusedallhermagicpowerstomakehimasstrongandgoodandlovelyasanywomancouldwish。
  Whenhegrewtomanhood,Quelala,ashewascalled,wassaidtobethebestandwisestmaninalltheland,whilehismanlybeautywassogreatthatGayelettelovedhimdearly,andhastenedtomakeeverythingreadyforthewedding。
  "MygrandfatherwasatthattimetheKingoftheWingedMonkeyswhichlivedintheforestnearGayelette’spalace,andtheoldfellowlovedajokebetterthanagooddinner。Oneday,justbeforethewedding,mygrandfatherwasflyingoutwithhisbandwhenhesawQuelalawalkingbesidetheriver。Hewasdressedinarichcostumeofpinksilkandpurplevelvet,andmygrandfatherthoughthewouldseewhathecoulddo。
  AthiswordthebandflewdownandseizedQuelala,carriedhimintheirarmsuntiltheywereoverthemiddleoftheriver,andthendroppedhimintothewater。
  "`Swimout,myfinefellow,’criedmygrandfather,`andseeifthewaterhasspottedyourclothes。’Quelalawasmuchtoowisenottoswim,andhewasnotintheleastspoiledbyallhisgoodfortune。Helaughed,whenhecametothetopofthewater,andswamintoshore。ButwhenGayelettecamerunningouttohimshefoundhissilksandvelvetallruinedbytheriver。
  "Theprincesswasangry,andsheknew,ofcourse,whodidit。
  ShehadalltheWingedMonkeysbroughtbeforeher,andshesaidatfirstthattheirwingsshouldbetiedandtheyshouldbetreatedastheyhadtreatedQuelala,anddroppedintheriver。Butmygrandfatherpleadedhard,forheknewtheMonkeyswoulddrownintheriverwiththeirwingstied,andQuelalasaidakindwordforthemalso;sothatGayelettefinallysparedthem,onconditionthattheWingedMonkeysshouldeverafterdothreetimesthebiddingoftheowneroftheGoldenCap。ThisCaphadbeenmadeforaweddingpresenttoQuelala,anditissaidtohavecosttheprincesshalfherkingdom。OfcoursemygrandfatherandalltheotherMonkeysatonceagreedtothecondition,andthatishowithappensthatwearethreetimestheslavesoftheowneroftheGoldenCap,whosoeverhemaybe。"
  "Andwhatbecameofthem?"askedDorothy,whohadbeengreatlyinterestedinthestory。
  "QuelalabeingthefirstowneroftheGoldenCap,"repliedtheMonkey,"hewasthefirsttolayhiswishesuponus。Ashisbridecouldnotbearthesightofus,hecalledusalltohimintheforestafterhehadmarriedherandorderedusalwaystokeepwhereshecouldneveragainseteyesonaWingedMonkey,whichweweregladtodo,forwewereallafraidofher。
  "ThiswasallweeverhadtodountiltheGoldenCapfellintothehandsoftheWickedWitchoftheWest,whomadeusenslavetheWinkies,andafterwarddriveOzhimselfoutoftheLandoftheWest。NowtheGoldenCapisyours,andthreetimesyouhavetherighttolayyourwishesuponus。"
  AstheMonkeyKingfinishedhisstoryDorothylookeddownandsawthegreen,shiningwallsoftheEmeraldCitybeforethem。
  ShewonderedattherapidflightoftheMonkeys,butwasgladthejourneywasover。ThestrangecreaturessetthetravelersdowncarefullybeforethegateoftheCity,theKingbowedlowtoDorothy,andthenflewswiftlyaway,followedbyallhisband。
  "Thatwasagoodride,"saidthelittlegirl。
  "Yes,andaquickwayoutofourtroubles,"repliedtheLion。
  "HowluckyitwasyoubroughtawaythatwonderfulCap!"
  15。TheDiscoveryofOz,theTerribleThefourtravelerswalkeduptothegreatgateofEmeraldCityandrangthebell。Afterringingseveraltimes,itwasopenedbythesameGuardianoftheGatestheyhadmetbefore。
  "What!areyoubackagain?"heasked,insurprise。
  "Doyounotseeus?"answeredtheScarecrow。
  "ButIthoughtyouhadgonetovisittheWickedWitchoftheWest。"
  "Wedidvisither,"saidtheScarecrow。
  "Andsheletyougoagain?"askedtheman,inwonder。
  "Shecouldnothelpit,forsheismelted,"explainedtheScarecrow。
  "Melted!Well,thatisgoodnews,indeed,"saidtheman。
  "Whomeltedher?"
  "ItwasDorothy,"saidtheLiongravely。
  "Goodgracious!"exclaimedtheman,andhebowedverylowindeedbeforeher。
  Thenheledthemintohislittleroomandlockedthespectaclesfromthegreatboxonalltheireyes,justashehaddonebefore。
  AfterwardtheypassedonthroughthegateintotheEmeraldCity。
  WhenthepeopleheardfromtheGuardianoftheGatesthatDorothyhadmeltedtheWickedWitchoftheWest,theyallgatheredaroundthetravelersandfollowedtheminagreatcrowdtothePalaceofOz。
  Thesoldierwiththegreenwhiskerswasstillonguardbeforethedoor,buthelettheminatonce,andtheywereagainmetbythebeautifulgreengirl,whoshowedeachofthemtotheiroldroomsatonce,sotheymightrestuntiltheGreatOzwasreadytoreceivethem。
  ThesoldierhadthenewscarriedstraighttoOzthatDorothyandtheothertravelershadcomebackagain,afterdestroyingtheWickedWitch;butOzmadenoreply。TheythoughttheGreatWizardwouldsendforthematonce,buthedidnot。Theyhadnowordfromhimthenextday,northenext,northenext。Thewaitingwastiresomeandwearing,andatlasttheygrewvexedthatOzshouldtreattheminsopoorafashion,aftersendingthemtoundergohardshipsandslavery。SotheScarecrowatlastaskedthegreengirltotakeanothermessagetoOz,sayingifhedidnotletthemintoseehimatoncetheywouldcalltheWingedMonkeystohelpthem,andfindoutwhetherhekepthispromisesornot。
  WhentheWizardwasgiventhismessagehewassofrightenedthathesentwordforthemtocometotheThroneRoomatfourminutesafternineo’clockthenextmorning。HehadoncemettheWingedMonkeysintheLandoftheWest,andhedidnotwishtomeetthemagain。
  Thefourtravelerspassedasleeplessnight,eachthinkingofthegiftOzhadpromisedtobestowonhim。Dorothyfellasleeponlyonce,andthenshedreamedshewasinKansas,whereAuntEmwastellingherhowgladshewastohaveherlittlegirlathomeagain。
  Promptlyatnineo’clockthenextmorningthegreen-whiskeredsoldiercametothem,andfourminuteslatertheyallwentintotheThroneRoomoftheGreatOz。
  OfcourseeachoneofthemexpectedtoseetheWizardintheshapehehadtakenbefore,andallweregreatlysurprisedwhentheylookedaboutandsawnooneatallintheroom。Theykeptclosetothedoorandclosertooneanother,forthestillnessoftheemptyroomwasmoredreadfulthananyoftheformstheyhadseenOztake。
  PresentlytheyheardasolemnVoice,thatseemedtocomefromsomewherenearthetopofthegreatdome,anditsaid:
  "IamOz,theGreatandTerrible。Whydoyouseekme?"
  Theylookedagainineverypartoftheroom,andthen,seeingnoone,Dorothyasked,"Whereareyou?"
  "Iameverywhere,"answeredtheVoice,"buttotheeyesofcommonmortalsIaminvisible。Iwillnowseatmyselfuponmythrone,thatyoumayconversewithme。"Indeed,theVoiceseemedjustthentocomestraightfromthethroneitself;sotheywalkedtowarditandstoodinarowwhileDorothysaid:
  "Wehavecometoclaimourpromise,OOz。"
  "Whatpromise?"askedOz。
  "YoupromisedtosendmebacktoKansaswhentheWickedWitchwasdestroyed,"saidthegirl。
  "Andyoupromisedtogivemebrains,"saidtheScarecrow。
  "Andyoupromisedtogivemeaheart,"saidtheTinWoodman。
  "Andyoupromisedtogivemecourage,"saidtheCowardlyLion。
  "IstheWickedWitchreallydestroyed?"askedtheVoice,andDorothythoughtittrembledalittle。
  "Yes,"sheanswered,"Imeltedherwithabucketofwater。"
  "Dearme,"saidtheVoice,"howsudden!Well,cometometomorrow,forImusthavetimetothinkitover。"
  "You’vehadplentyoftimealready,"saidtheTinWoodmanangrily。
  "Weshan’twaitadaylonger,"saidtheScarecrow。
  "Youmustkeepyourpromisestous!"exclaimedDorothy。
  TheLionthoughtitmightbeaswelltofrightentheWizard,sohegavealarge,loudroar,whichwassofierceanddreadfulthatTotojumpedawayfromhiminalarmandtippedoverthescreenthatstoodinacorner。Asitfellwithacrashtheylookedthatway,andthenextmomentallofthemwerefilledwithwonder。
  Fortheysaw,standinginjustthespotthescreenhadhidden,alittleoldman,withabaldheadandawrinkledface,whoseemedtobeasmuchsurprisedastheywere。TheTinWoodman,raisinghisaxe,rushedtowardthelittlemanandcriedout,"Whoareyou?"
  "IamOz,theGreatandTerrible,"saidthelittleman,inatremblingvoice。"Butdon’tstrikeme——pleasedon’t——andI’lldoanythingyouwantmeto。"
  Ourfriendslookedathiminsurpriseanddismay。
  "IthoughtOzwasagreatHead,"saidDorothy。
  "AndIthoughtOzwasalovelyLady,"saidtheScarecrow。
  "AndIthoughtOzwasaterribleBeast,"saidtheTinWoodman。
  "AndIthoughtOzwasaBallofFire,"exclaimedtheLion。
  "No,youareallwrong,"saidthelittlemanmeekly。"Ihavebeenmakingbelieve。"
  "Makingbelieve!"criedDorothy。"AreyounotaGreatWizard?"
  "Hush,mydear,"hesaid。"Don’tspeaksoloud,oryouwillbeoverheard——andIshouldberuined。I’msupposedtobeaGreatWizard。"
  "Andaren’tyou?"sheasked。
  "Notabitofit,mydear;I’mjustacommonman。"
  "You’remorethanthat,"saidtheScarecrow,inagrievedtone;
  "you’reahumbug。"
  "Exactlyso!"declaredthelittleman,rubbinghishandstogetherasifitpleasedhim。"Iamahumbug。"
  "Butthisisterrible,"saidtheTinWoodman。"HowshallI
  evergetmyheart?"
  "OrImycourage?"askedtheLion。
  "OrImybrains?"wailedtheScarecrow,wipingthetearsfromhiseyeswithhiscoatsleeve。
  "Mydearfriends,"saidOz,"Iprayyounottospeakoftheselittlethings。Thinkofme,andtheterribletroubleI’minatbeingfoundout。"
  "Doesn’tanyoneelseknowyou’reahumbug?"askedDorothy。
  "Nooneknowsitbutyoufour——andmyself,"repliedOz。"I
  havefooledeveryonesolongthatIthoughtIshouldneverbefoundout。ItwasagreatmistakemyeverlettingyouintotheThroneRoom。UsuallyIwillnotseeevenmysubjects,andsotheybelieveIamsomethingterrible。"
  "But,Idon’tunderstand,"saidDorothy,inbewilderment。
  "HowwasitthatyouappearedtomeasagreatHead?"
  "Thatwasoneofmytricks,"answeredOz。"Stepthisway,please,andIwilltellyouallaboutit。"
  HeledthewaytoasmallchamberintherearoftheThroneRoom,andtheyallfollowedhim。Hepointedtoonecorner,inwhichlaythegreatHead,madeoutofmanythicknessesofpaper,andwithacarefullypaintedface。
  "ThisIhungfromtheceilingbyawire,"saidOz。"Istoodbehindthescreenandpulledathread,tomaketheeyesmoveandthemouthopen。"
  "Buthowaboutthevoice?"sheinquired。
  "Oh,Iamaventriloquist,"saidthelittleman。"IcanthrowthesoundofmyvoicewhereverIwish,sothatyouthoughtitwascomingoutoftheHead。HerearetheotherthingsIusedtodeceiveyou。"HeshowedtheScarecrowthedressandthemaskhehadwornwhenheseemedtobethelovelyLady。AndtheTinWoodmansawthathisterribleBeastwasnothingbutalotofskins,sewntogether,withslatstokeeptheirsidesout。AsfortheBallofFire,thefalseWizardhadhungthatalsofromtheceiling。Itwasreallyaballofcotton,butwhenoilwaspoureduponittheballburnedfiercely。
  "Really,"saidtheScarecrow,"yououghttobeashamedofyourselfforbeingsuchahumbug。"
  "Iam——Icertainlyam,"answeredthelittlemansorrowfully;
  "butitwastheonlythingIcoulddo。Sitdown,please,thereareplentyofchairs;andIwilltellyoumystory。"
  Sotheysatdownandlistenedwhilehetoldthefollowingtale。
  "IwasborninOmaha——"
  "Why,thatisn’tveryfarfromKansas!"criedDorothy。
  "No,butit’sfartherfromhere,"hesaid,shakinghisheadathersadly。"WhenIgrewupIbecameaventriloquist,andatthatIwasverywelltrainedbyagreatmaster。Icanimitateanykindofabirdorbeast。"HerehemewedsolikeakittenthatTotoprickeduphisearsandlookedeverywheretoseewhereshewas。
  "Afteratime,"continuedOz,"Itiredofthat,andbecameaballoonist。"
  "Whatisthat?"askedDorothy。
  "Amanwhogoesupinaballoononcircusday,soastodrawacrowdofpeopletogetherandgetthemtopaytoseethecircus,"
  heexplained。
  "Oh,"shesaid,"Iknow。"
  "Well,onedayIwentupinaballoonandtheropesgottwisted,sothatIcouldn’tcomedownagain。Itwentwayupabovetheclouds,sofarthatacurrentofairstruckitandcarrieditmany,manymilesaway。ForadayandanightItraveledthroughtheair,andonthemorningoftheseconddayIawokeandfoundtheballoonfloatingoverastrangeandbeautifulcountry。
  "Itcamedowngradually,andIwasnothurtabit。ButI
  foundmyselfinthemidstofastrangepeople,who,seeingmecomefromtheclouds,thoughtIwasagreatWizard。OfcourseIletthemthinkso,becausetheywereafraidofme,andpromisedtodoanythingIwishedthemto。
  "Justtoamusemyself,andkeepthegoodpeoplebusy,I
  orderedthemtobuildthisCity,andmyPalace;andtheydiditallwillinglyandwell。ThenIthought,asthecountrywassogreenandbeautiful,IwouldcallittheEmeraldCity;andtomakethenamefitbetterIputgreenspectaclesonallthepeople,sothateverythingtheysawwasgreen。"
  "Butisn’teverythingheregreen?"askedDorothy。
  "Nomorethaninanyothercity,"repliedOz;"butwhenyouweargreenspectacles,whyofcourseeverythingyouseelooksgreentoyou。TheEmeraldCitywasbuiltagreatmanyyearsago,forIwasayoungmanwhentheballoonbroughtmehere,andIamaveryoldmannow。ButmypeoplehaveworngreenglassesontheireyessolongthatmostofthemthinkitreallyisanEmeraldCity,anditcertainlyisabeautifulplace,aboundinginjewelsandpreciousmetals,andeverygoodthingthatisneededtomakeonehappy。Ihavebeengoodtothepeople,andtheylikeme;
  buteversincethisPalacewasbuilt,Ihaveshutmyselfupandwouldnotseeanyofthem。
  "OneofmygreatestfearswastheWitches,forwhileIhadnomagicalpowersatallIsoonfoundoutthattheWitcheswerereallyabletodowonderfulthings。Therewerefouroftheminthiscountry,andtheyruledthepeoplewholiveintheNorthandSouthandEastandWest。Fortunately,theWitchesoftheNorthandSouthweregood,andIknewtheywoulddomenoharm;buttheWitchesoftheEastandWestwereterriblywicked,andhadtheynotthoughtIwasmorepowerfulthantheythemselves,theywouldsurelyhavedestroyedme。Asitwas,Ilivedindeadlyfearofthemformanyyears;soyoucanimaginehowpleasedIwaswhenIheardyourhousehadfallenontheWickedWitchoftheEast。
  Whenyoucametome,IwaswillingtopromiseanythingifyouwouldonlydoawaywiththeotherWitch;but,nowthatyouhavemeltedher,IamashamedtosaythatIcannotkeepmypromises。"
  "Ithinkyouareaverybadman,"saidDorothy。
  "Oh,no,mydear;I’mreallyaverygoodman,butI’maverybadWizard,Imustadmit。"
  "Can’tyougivemebrains?"askedtheScarecrow。
  "Youdon’tneedthem。Youarelearningsomethingeveryday。
  Ababyhasbrains,butitdoesn’tknowmuch。Experienceistheonlythingthatbringsknowledge,andthelongeryouareonearththemoreexperienceyouaresuretoget。"
  "Thatmayallbetrue,"saidtheScarecrow,"butIshallbeveryunhappyunlessyougivemebrains。"
  ThefalseWizardlookedathimcarefully。
  "Well,"hesaidwithasigh,"I’mnotmuchofamagician,asIsaid;butifyouwillcometometomorrowmorning,Iwillstuffyourheadwithbrains。Icannottellyouhowtousethem,however;youmustfindthatoutforyourself。"
  "Oh,thankyou——thankyou!"criedtheScarecrow。"I’llfindawaytousethem,neverfear!"
  "Buthowaboutmycourage?"askedtheLionanxiously。
  "Youhaveplentyofcourage,Iamsure,"answeredOz。"Allyouneedisconfidenceinyourself。Thereisnolivingthingthatisnotafraidwhenitfacesdanger。TheTruecourageisinfacingdangerwhenyouareafraid,andthatkindofcourageyouhaveinplenty。"
  "PerhapsIhave,butI’mscaredjustthesame,"saidtheLion。
  "Ishallreallybeveryunhappyunlessyougivemethesortofcouragethatmakesoneforgetheisafraid。"
  "Verywell,Iwillgiveyouthatsortofcouragetomorrow,"
  repliedOz。
  "Howaboutmyheart?"askedtheTinWoodman。
  "Why,asforthat,"answeredOz,"Ithinkyouarewrongtowantaheart。Itmakesmostpeopleunhappy。Ifyouonlyknewit,youareinlucknottohaveaheart。"
  "Thatmustbeamatterofopinion,"saidtheTinWoodman。
  "Formypart,Iwillbearalltheunhappinesswithoutamurmur,ifyouwillgivemetheheart。"
  "Verywell,"answeredOzmeekly。"Cometometomorrowandyoushallhaveaheart。IhaveplayedWizardforsomanyyearsthatI
  mayaswellcontinuethepartalittlelonger。"
  "Andnow,"saidDorothy,"howamItogetbacktoKansas?"
  "Weshallhavetothinkaboutthat,"repliedthelittleman。
  "GivemetwoorthreedaystoconsiderthematterandI’lltrytofindawaytocarryyouoverthedesert。Inthemeantimeyoushallallbetreatedasmyguests,andwhileyouliveinthePalacemypeoplewillwaituponyouandobeyyourslightestwish。ThereisonlyonethingIaskinreturnformyhelp——suchasitis。YoumustkeepmysecretandtellnooneIamahumbug。"
  Theyagreedtosaynothingofwhattheyhadlearned,andwentbacktotheirroomsinhighspirits。EvenDorothyhadhopethat"TheGreatandTerribleHumbug,"asshecalledhim,wouldfindawaytosendherbacktoKansas,andifhedidshewaswillingtoforgivehimeverything。
  16。TheMagicArtoftheGreatHumbugNextmorningtheScarecrowsaidtohisfriends:
  "Congratulateme。IamgoingtoOztogetmybrainsatlast。
  WhenIreturnIshallbeasothermenare。"
  "Ihavealwayslikedyouasyouwere,"saidDorothysimply。
  "ItiskindofyoutolikeaScarecrow,"hereplied。"Butsurelyyouwillthinkmoreofmewhenyouhearthesplendidthoughtsmynewbrainisgoingtoturnout。"Thenhesaidgood-byetothemallinacheerfulvoiceandwenttotheThroneRoom,whereherappeduponthedoor。
  "Comein,"saidOz。
  TheScarecrowwentinandfoundthelittlemansittingdownbythewindow,engagedindeepthought。
  "Ihavecomeformybrains,"remarkedtheScarecrow,alittleuneasily。
  "Oh,yes;sitdowninthatchair,please,"repliedOz。"Youmustexcusemefortakingyourheadoff,butIshallhavetodoitinordertoputyourbrainsintheirproperplace。"
  "That’sallright,"saidtheScarecrow。"Youarequitewelcometotakemyheadoff,aslongasitwillbeabetteronewhenyouputitonagain。"
  SotheWizardunfastenedhisheadandemptiedoutthestraw。
  Thenheenteredthebackroomandtookupameasureofbran,whichhemixedwithagreatmanypinsandneedles。Havingshakenthemtogetherthoroughly,hefilledthetopoftheScarecrow’sheadwiththemixtureandstuffedtherestofthespacewithstraw,toholditinplace。
  WhenhehadfastenedtheScarecrow’sheadonhisbodyagainhesaidtohim,"Hereafteryouwillbeagreatman,forIhavegivenyoualotofbran-newbrains。"
  TheScarecrowwasbothpleasedandproudatthefulfillmentofhisgreatestwish,andhavingthankedOzwarmlyhewentbacktohisfriends。
  Dorothylookedathimcuriously。Hisheadwasquitebulgedoutatthetopwithbrains。
  "Howdoyoufeel?"sheasked。
  "Ifeelwiseindeed,"heansweredearnestly。"WhenIgetusedtomybrainsIshallknoweverything。"
  "Whyarethoseneedlesandpinsstickingoutofyourhead?"
  askedtheTinWoodman。
  "Thatisproofthatheissharp,"remarkedtheLion。
  "Well,ImustgotoOzandgetmyheart,"saidtheWoodman。
  SohewalkedtotheThroneRoomandknockedatthedoor。