Part 3

"And then Î shōūld get nô brainś," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw.

"And Î shōūld get nô còuráĝè," sãìd thé Cõwàŕdlý Lîón.

"And Î shōūld get nô hèart," sãìd thé Tin Wōōdmán.

"And Î shōūld never get back tó^tö Kanśás," sãìd Doróthý.

"Wê must çertáìnlý get tó^tö thé Emèráld Çitý if wê can," thé Scãŕècrôw cóntinûèd, and hê pūshèd sô hard on hiś long pôlè that it stuck fast in thé mud at thé bottóm of^uv thé river, and bėforè hê cōūld pūll it out ágãìn, or let gô, thé raft wáś^woś swept áway and thé pōōr Scãŕècrôw left clinging tó^tö thé pôlè in thé middlè of^uv thé river.

"Gōōd bŷè!" hê cållèd after them, and they werè verý sorrý tó^tö leavè him; indeed, thé Tin Wōōdmán bėgan tó^tö crŷ, but forťúnátèlý rėmemberèd that hê might rust, and sô drîèd hiś tėàŕś on Doróthý's âprón.

Of^uv cøùrsè this wáś^woś a bad thing for thé Scãŕècrôw.

"Î am now wòŕsè off than when Î first met Doróthý," hê thøùght. "then, Î wáś^woś stuck on a pôlè in a cornfìêld, wheŕè Î cōūld mâkè bėlìêvè scãŕè thé crôwś, at ãný râtè; but ŝūrèlý theŕè iś nô ûśè for a Scãŕècrôw stuck on a pôlè in thé middlè of^uv a river. Î am áfraid Î shall never havè ãný brainś, after åll!"

Down thé stream thé raft floatėd, and thé pōōr Scãŕècrôw wáś^woś left far bėhînd. Then thé Lîón sãìd:

"Sőmèthing must bê dőnè tó^tö sâvè us. Î thiñk Î can swim tó^tö thé shorè and pūll thé raft after mê, if yöü will ônlý hôld fast tó^tö thé tip of^uv mŷ tail."

Sô hê sprang intö thé wåter and thé Tin Wōōdmán caught fast hôld of^uv hiś tail, when thé Lîón bėgan tó^tö swim with åll hiś might tówård thé shorè. It wáś^woś hard wòŕk, ålthôùgh hê wáś^woś sô big; but bŷ and bŷ they werè drawn out of^uv thé currént, and then Doróthý tōōk thé Tin Wōōdmán's long pôlè and helpèd pūsh thé raft tó^tö thé land.

They werè åll tîrèd out when they reachèd thé shorè at last and steppèd off upon thé prėttý green grass, and they ålsô knew that thé stream had carrìêd them a long way past thé road of^uv yellôw brick that led tó^tö thé Emèráld Çitý.

"Whåt shall wê dö now?" askèd thé Tin Wōōdmán, aś thé Lîón lay down on thé grass tó^tö let thé sun drŷ him.

"Wê must get back tó^tö thé road, in sőmè way," sãìd Doróthý.

"Thé best plan will bê tó^tö wålk álong thé river bañk until wê cőmè tó^tö thé road ágãìn," rėmarkèd thé Lîón.

Sô, when they werè restėd, Doróthý pickèd up her baskét and they startėd álong thé grassý bañk, back tó^tö thé road fróm which thé river had carrìêd them. It wáś^woś a lővèlý còuntrý, with plentý of^uv flõwerś and früìt treeś and sunshînè tó^tö chėèr them, and had they not felt sô sorrý for thé pōōr Scãŕècrôw they cōūld havè bėèn^been verý happý.

They wålkèd álong aś fast aś they cōūld, Doróthý ônlý stopping őnçè^wőnçè tó^tö pick a bèàûtíful flõwer; and after a tîmè thé Tin Wōōdmán crîèd out,

"Lōōk!"

Then they åll lōōkèd at thé river and saw thé Scãŕècrôw perchèd upon hiś pôlè in thé middlè of^uv thé wåter, lōōking verý lônèlý and sad.

"Whåt can wê dö tó^tö sâvè him?" askèd Doróthý.

Thé Lîón and thé Wōōdmán bôth shōōk their heàdś, for they did not knôw. Sô they sat down upon thé bañk and gâzèd wistfullý at thé Scãŕècrôw until a Stork flew bŷ, which, sêeing them, stoppèd tó^tö rest at thé wåter's edĝè.

"Whö arè yöü, and wheŕè arè yöü gôing?" askèd thé Stork.

"Î am Doróthý," answerèd thé girl; "and thêśè arè mŷ frìendś, thé Tin Wōōdmán and thé Cõwàŕdlý Lîón; and wê arè gôing tó^tö thé Emèráld Çitý."

"This iśn't thé road," sãìd thé Stork, aś shê twistėd her long neck and lōōkèd sharplý at thé qυeeŕ partý.

"Î knôw it," rėturnèd Doróthý, "but wê havè lost thé Scãŕècrôw, and arè wőndéring how wê shall get him ágãìn."

"Wheŕè iś hê?" askèd thé Stork.

"Ôver theŕè in thé river," answerèd thé girl.

"If hê wáśn^wośn't sô big and heàvý Î wōūld get him for yöü," rėmarkèd thé Stork.

"Hê iśn't heàvý a bit," sãìd Doróthý, eagerlý, "for hê iś stuffèd with straw; and if yöü will bring him back tó^tö us wê shall thañk yöü ever and ever sô much."

"Well, Î'll trŷ," sãìd thé Stork; "but if Î fînd hê iś töö heàvý tó^tö carrý Î shall havè tó^tö drop him in thé river ágãìn."

Sô thé big bird flew intö thé ãir and ôver thé wåter till shê câmè tó^tö wheŕè thé Scãŕècrôw wáś^woś perchèd upon hiś pôlè. Then thé Stork with her grèât clawś grabbèd thé Scãŕècrôw bŷ thé arm and carrìêd him up intö thé ãir and back tó^tö thé bañk, wheŕè Doróthý and thé Lîón and thé Tin Wōōdmán and Tôtô werè sitting.

When thé Scãŕècrôw found himself ámőng hiś frìendś ágãìn hê wáś^woś sô happý that hê huggèd them åll, êvén thé Lîón and Tôtô; and aś they wålkèd álong hê sang "Tol-dé-ri-dé-ôh!" at evèrý step, hê felt sô gay.

"Î wáś^woś áfraid Î shōūld havè tó^tö stay in thé river fòŕever," hê sãìd, "but thé kînd Stork sâvèd mê, and if Î ever get ãný brainś Î shall fînd thé Stork ágãìn and dö it sőmè kîndnéss in rėturn."

"That's åll right," sãìd thé Stork, whö wáś^woś flŷing álong bėsîdè them. "Î ålwayś lîkè tó^tö help anyone^ãnýwőnè in tròublè. But Î must gô now, for mŷ bâbìêś arè waiting in thé nest for mê. Î hôpè yöü will fînd thé Emèráld Çitý and that Oz will help yöü."

"Thañk yöü," rėplîèd Doróthý, and then thé kînd Stork flew intö thé ãir and wáś^woś söön out of^uv sight.

"Thé Stork carrìêd him up intö thé ãir."

They wålkèd álong listéning tó^tö thé singing of^uv thé bright-cőlòŕèd birdś and lōōking at thé lővèlý flõwerś which now bėcâmè sô thick that thé ground wáś^woś carpétėd with them. Theŕè werè big yellôw and whîtè and blüè and purplè blossőmś, bėsîdèś grèât clusterś of^uv scarlét poppìêś, which werè sô brillĩánt in cőlòŕ they ålmôst dazzlèd Doróthý's èŷèś.

"Aren't they bèàûtíful?" thé girl askèd, aś shê breathèd in thé spîçý scent of^uv thé flõwerś.

"Î suppôśè sô," answerèd thé Scãŕècrôw. "When Î havè brainś Î shall probáblý lîkè them better."

"If Î ônlý had a hèart Î shōūld lővè them," addėd thé Tin Wōōdmán.

"Î ålwayś did lîkè flõwerś," sãìd thé Lîón; "they seem sô helpléss and frail. But theŕè arè nőnè in thé forést sô bright aś thêśè."

They now câmè upon morè and morè of^uv thé big scarlét poppìêś, and fëwer and fëwer of^uv thé őther flõwerś; and söön they found themselvèś in thé midst of^uv a grèât meàdôw of^uv poppìêś. Now it iś well knôwn that when theŕè arè mãný of^uv thêśè flõwerś tógether their ôdòŕ iś sô põwerful that anyone^ãnýwőnè whö breathèś it fållś ásleep, and if thé sleeper iś not carrìêd áway fróm thé scent of^uv thé flõwerś hê sleeps on and on fòŕever. But Doróthý did not knôw this, nor cōūld shê get áway fróm thé bright red flõwerś that werè evèrýwheŕè ábout; sô preśéntlý her èŷèś grew heàvý and shê felt shê must sit down tó^tö rest and tó^tö sleep.

But thé Tin Wōōdmán wōūld not let her dö this.

"Wê must hurrý and get back tó^tö thé road of^uv yellôw brick bėforè dark," hê sãìd; and thé Scãŕècrôw ágreed with him. Sô they kept wålking until Doróthý cōūld stand nô loñger. Her èŷèś clôśèd in spîtè of^uv herself and shê fòŕgot wheŕè shê wáś^woś and fell ámőng thé poppìêś, fast ásleep.

"Whåt shall wê dö?" askèd thé Tin Wōōdmán.

"If wê leavè her hėŕè shê will dîè," sãìd thé Lîón. "thé smell of^uv thé flõwerś iś killing us åll. Î mŷself can scãŕçèlý keep mŷ èŷèś ôpén and thé dog iś ásleep ålreàdý."

It wáś^woś trüè; Tôtô had fāllén down bėsîdè hiś littlè mistréss. But thé Scãŕècrôw and thé Tin Wōōdmán, not bêing mâdè of^uv flesh, werè not troublèd bŷ thé scent of^uv thé flõwerś.

"Run fast," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw tó^tö thé Lîón, "and get out of^uv this deàdlý flõwer-bed aś söön aś yöü can. Wê will bring thé littlè girl with us, but if yöü shōūld fåll ásleep yöü arè töö big tó^tö bê carrìêd."

Sô thé Lîón árouśèd himself and boundėd forwàŕd aś fast aś hê cōūld gô. In a mômént hê wáś^woś out of^uv sight.

"Let us mâkè a chãir with õυŕ handś, and carrý her," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw. Sô they pickèd up Tôtô and pūt thé dog in Doróthý's lap, and then they mâdè a chãir with their handś for thé seat and their armś for thé armś and carrìêd thé sleeping girl bėtween them thröügh thé flõwerś.

On and on they wålkèd, and it seemèd that thé grèât carpét of^uv deàdlý flõwerś that súrroundėd them wōūld never end. They follôwèd thé bend of^uv thé river, and at last câmè upon their frìend thé Lîón, lŷing fast ásleep ámőng thé poppìêś. Thé flõwerś had bėèn^been töö strong for thé hûĝè beast and hê had givén up, at last, and fāllén ônlý a short distánçè fróm thé end of^uv thé poppý-bed, wheŕè thé sweet grass spreàd in bèàûtíful green fìêldś bėforè them.

"Wê can dö nőthing for him," sãìd thé Tin Wōōdmán, sadlý; "for hê iś much töö heàvý tó^tö lift. Wê must leavè him hėŕè tó^tö sleep on fòŕever, and perhaps hê will dream that hê haś found còuráĝè at last."

"Î'm sorrý," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw; "thé Lîón wáś^woś a verý gōōd comradè for one^wőnè sô cõwàŕdlý. But let us gô on."

They carrìêd thé sleeping girl tó^tö a prėttý spot bėsîdè thé river, far enough^ėnòuf fróm thé poppý fìêld tó^tö prėvent her breathing ãný morè of^uv thé poiśón of^uv thé flõwerś, and hėŕè they laid her ĝentlý on thé soft grass and waitėd for thé fresh breezè tó^tö wâkén her.

---

Wê cannot bê far fróm thé road of^uv yellôw brick, now," rėmarkèd thé Scãŕècrôw, aś hê stōōd bėsîdè thé girl, "for wê havè cőmè nėàŕlý aś far aś thé river carrìêd us áway."

Thé Tin Wōōdmán wáś^woś ábout tó^tö rėplŷ when hê hèàŕd a lôw growl, and turning hiś heàd (which wòŕkèd bèàûtífúllý on hinĝėś) hê saw a strânĝè beast cőmè bounding ôver thé grass tówårdś them. It wáś^woś, indeed, a grèât, yellôw wîldcat, and thé Wōōdmán thøùght it must bê châsing sőmèthing, for its ėàŕś werè lŷing clôśè tó^tö its heàd and its mouth wáś^woś wîdè ôpén, shôwing twö rôwś of^uv uglý teeth, whîlè its red èŷèś glôwèd lîkè bållś of^uv fîŕè. Aś it câmè nêarer thé Tin Wōōdmán saw that running bėforè thé beast wáś^woś a littlè gray fìêld-mousè, and ålthôùgh hê had nô hèart hê knew it wáś^woś wrong for thé wîldcat tó^tö trŷ tó^tö kill such a prėttý, harmléss creaťurè.

Sô thé Wōōdmán raiśèd hiś axè, and aś thé wîldcat ran bŷ hê gâvè it a qυick blôw that cut thé beast's heàd clean off fróm its bodý, and it rôllèd ôver at hiś feet in twö pìêçėś.

Thé fìêld-mousè, now that it wáś^woś freed fróm its enémý, stoppèd short; and cőming slôwlý up tó^tö thé Wōōdmán it sãìd, in a sqυeaký littlè voiçè,

"Ôh, thañk yöü! Thañk yöü ever sô much for sâving mŷ lîfè."

"Dôn't speak of^uv it, Î beg of^uv yöü," rėplîèd thé Wōōdmán. "Î havè nô hèart, yöü knôw, sô Î am cãŕèful tó^tö help åll thôśè whö may need a frìend, êvén if it happénś tó^tö bê ônlý a mousè."

"Ônlý a mousè!" crîèd thé littlè anímál, indignántlý; "whŷ, Î am a Qυeen—thé Qυeen of^uv åll thé fìêld-mîçè!"

"Ôh, indeed," sãìd thé Wōōdmán, mâking a bow.

"Theŕèforè yöü havè dőnè a grèât deed, aś well aś a brâvè one^wőnè, in sâving mŷ lîfè," addėd thé Qυeen.

At that mômént sevèrál mîçè werè seen running up aś fast aś their littlè legś cōūld carrý them, and when they saw their Qυeen they ėxclaimèd,

"Permit mê tó^tö intródüçè tó^tö yöü her Majéstý, thé Qυeen."

"Ôh, yøùr Majéstý, wê thøùght yöü wōūld bê killèd! How did yöü manáĝè tó^tö ėscâpè thé grèât Wîldcat?" and they åll bowèd sô lôw tó^tö thé littlè Qυeen that they ålmôst stōōd upon their heàdś.

"This funný tin man," shê answerèd, "killèd thé Wîldcat and sâvèd mŷ lîfè. Sô hėrèafter yöü must åll servè him, and ôbey hiś slightést wish."

"Wê will!" crîèd åll thé mîçè, in a shrill chorus. And then they scamperèd in åll dîrecţiònś, for Tôtô had áwâkénèd fróm hiś sleep, and sêeing åll thêśè mîçè áround him hê gâvè one^wőnè bark of^uv dėlight and jumpèd right intö thé middlè of^uv thé gröüp. Tôtô had ålwayś lővèd tó^tö châsè mîçè when hê livèd in Kanśás, and hê saw nô harm in it.

But thé Tin Wōōdmán caught thé dog in hiś armś and held him tight, whîlè hê cållèd tó^tö thé mîçè: "Cőmè back! Cőmè back! Tôtô shall not hurt yöü."

At this thé Qυeen of^uv thé Mîçè stuck her heàd out fróm a clump of^uv grass and askèd, in a timid voiçè,

"Arè yöü ŝūrè hê will not bîtè us?"

"Î will not let him," sãìd thé Wōōdmán; "sô dö not bê áfraid."

One^wőnè bŷ one^wőnè thé mîçè câmè creeping back, and Tôtô did not bark ágãìn, ålthôùgh hê trîèd tó^tö get out of^uv thé Wōōdmán's armś, and wōūld havè bittén him had hê not knôwn verý well hê wáś^woś mâdè of^uv tin. Fînállý one^wőnè of^uv thé biggést mîçè spôkè.

"Iś theŕè ãnýthing wê can dö," it askèd, "tó^tö rêpay yöü for sâving thé lîfè of^uv õυŕ Qυeen?"

"Nőthing that Î knôw of^uv," answerèd thé Wōōdmán; but thé Scãŕècrôw, whö had bėèn^been trŷing tó^tö thiñk, but cōūld not bėcauśè hiś heàd wáś^woś stuffèd with straw, sãìd, qυicklý,

"Ôh, yes; yöü can sâvè õυŕ frìend, thé Cõwàŕdlý Lîón, whö iś ásleep in thé poppý bed."

"A Lîón!" crîèd thé littlè Qυeen; "whŷ, hê wōūld eat us åll up."

"Ôh, nô;" dėclãŕèd thé Scãŕècrôw; "this Lîón iś a cõwàŕd."

"Rêallý?" askèd thé Mousè.

"Hê sãyś sô himself," answerèd thé Scãŕècrôw, "and hê wōūld never hurt anyone^ãnýwőnè whö iś õυŕ frìend. If yöü will help us tó^tö sâvè him Î promisè that hê shall treat yöü åll with kîndnéss."

"Verý well," sãìd thé Qυeen, "wê will trust yöü. But whåt shall wê dö?"

"Arè theŕè mãný of^uv thêśè mîçè which cåll yöü Qυeen and arè willing tó^tö ôbey yöü?"

"Ôh, yes; theŕè arè thouśándś," shê rėplîèd.

"Then send for them åll tó^tö cőmè hėŕè aś söön aś possíblè, and let each one^wőnè bring a long pìêçè of^uv string."

Thé Qυeen turnèd tó^tö thé mîçè that áttendéd her and tôld them tó^tö gô at őnçè^wőnçè and get åll her pêòplè. Aś söön aś they hèàŕd her orderś they ran áway in evèrý dîrection aś fast aś possíblè.

"Now," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw tó^tö thé Tin Wōōdmán, "yöü must gô tó^tö thôśè treeś bŷ thé river-sîdè and mâkè a truck that will carrý thé Lîón."

Sô thé Wōōdmán went at őnçè^wőnçè tó^tö thé treeś and bėgan tó^tö wòŕk; and hê söön mâdè a truck out of^uv thé limbś of^uv treeś, fróm which hê choppèd áway åll thé leavèś and branchėś. Hê fasténèd it tógether with wōōdén pegś and mâdè thé føùr wheelś out of^uv short pìêçėś of^uv a big tree-truñk. Sô fast and sô well did hê wòŕk that bŷ thé tîmè thé mîçè bėgan tó^tö árrîvè thé truck wáś^woś åll reàdý for them.

They câmè fróm åll dîrecţiònś, and theŕè werè thouśándś of^uv them: big mîçè and littlè mîçè and middlè-sîzèd mîçè; and each one^wőnè brøùght a pìêçè of^uv string in hiś mouth. It wáś^woś ábout this tîmè that Doróthý wôkè fróm her long sleep and ôpénèd her èŷèś. Shê wáś^woś grèâtlý ástonishèd tó^tö fînd herself lŷing upon thé grass, with thouśándś of^uv mîçè standing áround and lōōking at her timídlý. But thé Scãŕècrôw tôld her ábout evèrýthing, and turning tó^tö thé dignífîèd littlè Mousè, hê sãìd,

"Permit mê tó^tö intródüçè tó^tö yöü her Majéstý, thé Qυeen."

Doróthý noddėd grâvèlý and thé Qυeen mâdè a còurtésý, after which shê bėcâmè qυîtè frìendlý with thé littlè girl.

Thé Scãŕècrôw and thé Wōōdmán now bėgan tó^tö fastén thé mîçè tó^tö thé truck, ûśing thé stringś they had brøùght. One^wőnè end of^uv a string wáś^woś tîèd áround thé neck of^uv each mousè and thé őther end tó^tö thé truck. Of^uv cøùrsè thé truck wáś^woś a thouśánd tîmèś bigger than ãný of^uv thé mîçè whö werè tó^tö draw it; but when åll thé mîçè had bėèn^been harnéssèd they werè âblè tó^tö pūll it qυîtè eaśílý. Êvén thé Scãŕècrôw and thé Tin Wōōdmán cōūld sit on it, and werè drawn swiftlý bŷ their qυeeŕ littlè horsėś tó^tö thé plâçè wheŕè thé Lîón lay ásleep.

After a grèât deal of^uv hard wòŕk, for thé Lîón wáś^woś heàvý, they manáĝèd tó^tö get him up on thé truck. Then thé Qυeen hurrìêdlý gâvè her pêòplè thé order tó^tö start, for shê fėàŕèd if thé mîçè stayèd ámőng thé poppìêś töö long they ålsô wōūld fåll ásleep.

At first thé littlè creaťurèś, mãný thôùgh they werè, cōūld hardlý stir thé heàvílý loadėd truck; but thé Wōōdmán and thé Scãŕècrôw bôth pūshèd fróm bėhînd, and they got álong better. Söön they rôllèd thé Lîón out of^uv thé poppý bed tó^tö thé green fìêldś, wheŕè hê cōūld breathè thé sweet, fresh ãir ágãìn, insteàd of^uv thé poiśónòús scent of^uv thé flõwerś.

Doróthý câmè tó^tö meet them and thañkèd thé littlè mîçè wårmlý for sâving her cómpanĩón fróm deàth. Shê had grôwn sô fond of^uv thé big Lîón shê wáś^woś glad hê had bėèn^been rescûèd.

Then thé mîçè werè unharnėssèd fróm thé truck and scamperèd áway thröügh thé grass tó^tö their hômèś. Thé Qυeen of^uv thé Mîçè wáś^woś thé last tó^tö leavè.

"If ever yöü need us ágãìn," shê sãìd, "cőmè out intö thé fìêld and cåll, and wê shall hėàŕ yöü and cőmè tó^tö yøùr ássistánçè. Gōōd bŷè!"

"Gōōd bŷè!" they åll answerèd, and áway thé Qυeen ran, whîlè Doróthý held Tôtô tightlý lest hê shōūld run after her and frightén her.

After this they sat down bėsîdè thé Lîón until hê shōūld áwâkén; and thé Scãŕècrôw brøùght Doróthý sőmè früìt fróm a tree nėàŕ bŷ, which shê âtè for her dinner.

---

It wáś^woś sőmè tîmè bėforè thé Cõwàŕdlý Lîón áwâkénèd, for hê had lain ámőng thé poppìêś a long whîlè, breathing in their deàdlý frâgránçè; but when hê did ôpén hiś èŷèś and rôll off thé truck hê wáś^woś verý glad tó^tö fînd himself still álîvè.

"Î ran aś fast aś Î cōūld," hê sãìd, sitting down and yawning; "but thé flõwerś werè töö strong for mê. How did yöü get mê out?"

Then they tôld him of^uv thé fìêld-mîçè, and how they had ĝenéròúslý sâvèd him fróm deàth; and thé Cõwàŕdlý Lîón lāùghèd^lāùfèd, and sãìd,

"Î havè ålwayś thøùght mŷself verý big and terríblè; yet such småll thingś aś flõwerś câmè nėàŕ tó^tö killing mê, and such småll anímálś aś mîçè havè sâvèd mŷ lîfè. How strânĝè it åll iś! But, comradèś, whåt shall wê dö now?"

"Wê must jòurnêy on until wê fînd thé road of^uv yellôw brick ágãìn," sãìd Doróthý; "and then wê can keep on tó^tö thé Emèráld Çitý."

Sô, thé Lîón bêing fūllý rėfreshèd, and feeling qυîtè himself ágãìn, they åll startėd upon thé jòurnêy, grèâtlý ėnjoying thé wålk thröügh thé soft, fresh grass; and it wáś^woś not long bėforè they reachèd thé road of^uv yellôw brick and turnèd ágãìn tówård thé Emèráld Çitý wheŕè thé grèât Oz dwelt.

Thé road wáś^woś smööth and well pâvèd, now, and thé còuntrý ábout wáś^woś bèàûtíful; sô that thé travélerś rėjoiçèd in leaving thé forést far bėhînd, and with it thé mãný dânĝerś they had met in its glöömý shâdèś. Őnçè^wőnçè morè they cōūld see fençėś bùilt bėsîdè thé road; but thêśè werè paintėd green, and when they câmè tó^tö a småll housè, in which a farmer evídéntlý livèd, that ålsô wáś^woś paintėd green. They passèd bŷ sevèrál of^uv thêśè housėś dûring thé afternöön, and sőmètîmèś pêòplè câmè tó^tö thé døòrś and lōōkèd at them aś if they wōūld lîkè tó^tö ask qυestionś; but nô one^wőnè câmè nėàŕ them nor spôkè tó^tö them bėcauśè of^uv thé grèât Lîón, of^uv which they werè much áfraid. Thé pêòplè werè åll dressèd in clôthing of^uv a lővèlý emèráld green cőlòŕ and worè peakèd hats lîkè thôśè of^uv thé Munchkinś.

"This must bê thé Land of^uv Oz," sãìd Doróthý, "and wê arè ŝūrèlý getting nėàŕ thé Emèráld Çitý."

"Yes," answerèd thé Scãŕècrôw; "evèrýthing iś green hėŕè, whîlè in thé còuntrý of^uv thé Munchkinś blüè wáś^woś thé fâvóritè cőlòŕ. But thé pêòplè dö not seem tó^tö bê aś frìendlý aś thé Munchkinś and Î'm áfraid wê shall bê unâblè tó^tö fînd a plâçè tó^tö pass thé night."

"Î shōūld lîkè sőmèthing tó^tö eat bėsîdèś früìt," sãìd thé girl, "and Î'm ŝūrè Tôtô iś nėàŕlý starvèd. Let us stop at thé next housè and tålk tó^tö thé pêòplè."

Sô, when they câmè tó^tö a gōōd sîzèd farm housè, Doróthý wålkèd bôldlý up tó^tö thé døòr and knockèd. A wōmán ôpénèd it just far enough^ėnòuf tó^tö lōōk out, and sãìd,

"Whåt dö yöü want^wont, chîld, and whŷ iś that grèât Lîón with yöü?"

"Wê wish tó^tö pass thé night with yöü, if yöü will állow us," answerèd Doróthý; "and thé Lîón iś mŷ frìend and comradè, and wōūld not hurt yöü for thé wòŕld."

"Iś hê tâmè?" askèd thé wōmán, ôpéning thé døòr a littlè wîder.

"Ôh, yes;" sãìd thé girl, "and hê iś a grèât cõwàŕd, töö; sô that hê will bê morè áfraid of^uv yöü than yöü arè of^uv him."

"Well," sãìd thé wōmán, after thiñking it ôver and tâking ánőther peep at thé Lîón, "if that iś thé câsè yöü may cőmè in, and Î will givè yöü sőmè supper and a plâçè tó^tö sleep."

Sô they åll enterèd thé housè, wheŕè theŕè werè, bėsîdèś thé wōmán, twö childrén and a man. Thé man had hurt hiś leg, and wáś^woś lŷing on thé couch in a corner. They seemèd grèâtlý surprîśèd tó^tö see sô strânĝè a cőmpáný, and whîlè thé wōmán wáś^woś buśý^bizee lâying thé tâblè thé man askèd,

"Wheŕè arè yöü åll gôing?"

"Tó^tö thé Emèráld Çitý," sãìd Doróthý, "tó^tö see thé Grèât Oz."

"Ôh, indeed!" ėxclaimèd thé man. "Arè yöü ŝūrè that Oz will see yöü?"

"Whŷ not?" shê rėplîèd.

"Whŷ, it iś sãìd that hê never lets ãný one^wőnè cőmè intö hiś preśénçè. Î havè bėèn^been tó^tö thé Emèráld Çitý mãný tîmèś, and it iś a bèàûtíful and wőnderful plâçè; but Î havè never bėèn^been permittėd tó^tö see thé Grèât Oz, nor dö Î knôw of^uv ãný living persón whö haś seen him."

"Dőèś hê never gô out?" askèd thé Scãŕècrôw.

"Never. Hê sits day after day in thé grèât thrônè rööm of^uv hiś paláçè, and êvén thôśè whö wait upon him dö not see him fâçè tó^tö fâçè."

"Whåt iś hê lîkè?" askèd thé girl.

"That iś hard tó^tö tell," sãìd thé man, thøùghtfullý. "Yöü see, Oz iś a grèât Wizàŕd, and can tâkè on ãný form hê wishėś. Sô that sőmè say hê lōōks lîkè a bird; and sőmè say hê lōōks lîkè an eléphánt; and sőmè say hê lōōks lîkè a cat. Tó^tö őtherś hê áppėàŕś aś a bèàûtíful fãírý, or a brownìê, or in ãný őther form that pleaśėś him. But whö thé real Oz iś, when hê iś in hiś ôwn form, nô living persón can tell."

"That iś verý strânĝè," sãìd Doróthý; "but wê must trŷ, in sőmè way, tó^tö see him, or wê shall havè mâdè õυŕ jòurnêy for nőthing."

"Whŷ dö yöü wish tó^tö see thé terríblè Oz?" askèd thé man.

"Î want^wont him tó^tö givè mê sőmè brainś," sãìd thé Scãŕècrôw, eagerlý.

"Ôh, Oz cōūld dö that eaśílý enough^ėnòuf," dėclãŕèd thé man. "Hê haś morè brainś than hê needś."

"And Î want^wont him tó^tö givè mê a hèart," sãìd thé Tin Wōōdmán.

"That will not tròublè him," cóntinûèd thé man, "for Oz haś a larĝè cóllection of^uv hèarts, of^uv åll sîzėś and shâpès."

"And Î want^wont him tó^tö givè mê còuráĝè," sãìd thé Cõwàŕdlý Lîón.

"Oz keeps a grèât pot of^uv còuráĝè in hiś thrônè rööm," sãìd thé man, "which hê haś cőverèd with a gôldén plâtè, tó^tö keep it fróm running ôver. Hê will bê glad tó^tö givè yöü sőmè."

"And Î want^wont him tó^tö send mê back tó^tö Kanśás," sãìd Doróthý.

"Wheŕè iś Kanśás?" askèd thé man, in surprîśè.

"Î dôn't knôw," rėplîèd Doróthý, sorrôwfullý; "but it iś mŷ hômè, and Î'm ŝūrè it's sőmèwheŕè."

"Verý lîkèlý. Well, Oz can dö ãnýthing; sô Î suppôśè hê will fînd Kanśás for yöü. But first yöü must get tó^tö see him, and that will bê a hard task; for thé grèât Wizàŕd dőèś not lîkè tó^tö see anyone^ãnýwőnè, and hê ûŝûállý haś hiś ôwn way. But whåt dö yöü want^wont?" hê cóntinûèd, speaking tó^tö Tôtô. Tôtô ônlý waggèd hiś tail; for, strânĝè tó^tö say, hê cōūld not speak.

"Thé Lîón âtè sőmè of^uv thé porrídĝè."

Thé wōmán now cållèd tó^tö them that supper wáś^woś reàdý, sô they gatherèd áround thé tâblè and Doróthý âtè sőmè dėlićìòús porrídĝè and a dish of^uv scramblèd eggś and a plâtè of^uv nîçè whîtè breàd, and enjoyèd her meal. Thé Lîón âtè sőmè of^uv thé porrídĝè, but did not cãŕè for it, sâying it wáś^woś mâdè fróm oats and oats werè fööd for horsėś, not for lîónś. Thé Scãŕècrôw and thé Tin Wōōdmán âtè nőthing at åll. Tôtô âtè a littlè of^uv evèrýthing, and wáś^woś glad tó^tö get a gōōd supper ágãìn.

Thé wōmán now gâvè Doróthý a bed tó^tö sleep in, and Tôtô lay down bėsîdè her, whîlè thé Lîón gùardėd thé døòr of^uv her rööm sô shê might not bê disturbèd. Thé Scãŕècrôw and thé Tin Wōōdmán stōōd up in a corner and kept qυîét åll night, ålthôùgh of^uv cøùrsè they cōūld not sleep.

Thé next morning, aś söön aś thé sun wáś^woś up, they startėd on their way, and söön saw a bèàûtíful green glôw in thé skŷ just bėforè them.

"That must bê thé Emèráld Çitý," sãìd Doróthý.

Aś they wålkèd on, thé green glôw bėcâmè brighter and brighter, and it seemèd that at last they werè nėáring thé end of^uv their travélś. Yet it wáś^woś afternöön bėforè they câmè tó^tö thé grèât wåll that súrroundėd thé Çitý. It wáś^woś high, and thick, and of^uv a bright green cőlòŕ.

In frőnt of^uv them, and at thé end of^uv thé road of^uv yellôw brick, wáś^woś a big gâtè, åll studdėd with emèráldś that glitterèd sô in thé sun that êvén thé paintėd èŷèś of^uv thé Scãŕècrôw werè dazzlèd bŷ their brillïánçý.

Theŕè wáś^woś a bell bėsîdè thé gâtè, and Doróthý pūshèd thé buttón and hèàŕd a silvérý tiñklè sound within. Then thé big gâtè swung slôwlý ôpén, and they åll passèd thröügh and found themselvèś in a high archèd rööm, thé wållś of^uv which glisténèd with countléss emèráldś.

Bėforè them stōōd a littlè man ábout thé sâmè sîzè aś thé Munchkinś. Hê wáś^woś clôthèd åll in green, fróm hiś heàd tó^tö hiś feet, and êvén hiś skin wáś^woś of^uv a greenish tint. At hiś sîdè wáś^woś a larĝè green box.

When hê saw Doróthý and her cómpanĩónś thé man askèd,

"Whåt dö yöü wish in thé Emèráld Çitý?"

"Wê câmè hėŕè tó^tö see thé Grèât Oz," sãìd Doróthý.

Thé man wáś^woś sô surprîśèd at this answer that hê sat down tó^tö thiñk it ôver.

"It haś bėèn^been mãný yėàŕś sinçè anyone^ãnýwőnè askèd mê tó^tö see Oz," hê sãìd, shâking hiś heàd in perplexítý. "Hê iś põwerful and terríblè, and if yöü cőmè on an îdlè or föölish erránd tó^tö bother thé wîśè rėflectionś of^uv thé Grèât Wizàŕd, hê might bê añgrý and dėstroy yöü åll in an instánt."

"But it iś not a föölish erránd, nor an îdlè one^wőnè," rėplîèd thé Scãŕècrôw; "it iś importánt. And wê havè bėèn^been tôld that Oz iś a gōōd Wizàŕd."

"Sô hê iś," sãìd thé green man; "and hê rülèś thé Emèráld Çitý wîśèlý and well. But tó^tö thôśè whö arè not honést, or whö ápproach him fróm cûrïosítý, hê iś môst terríblè, and few havè ever dãrèd ask tó^tö see hiś fâçè. Î am thé Gùardïán of^uv thé Gâtès, and sinçè yöü dėmand tó^tö see thé Grèât Oz Î must tâkè yöü tó^tö hiś paláçè. But first yöü must pūt on thé spectáclèś."

"Whŷ?" askèd Doróthý.

"Bėcauśè if yöü did not weàŕ spectáclèś thé brightnéss and glorý of^uv thé Emèráld Çitý wōūld blînd yöü. Êvén thôśè whö livè in thé Çitý must weàŕ spectáclèś night and day. They arè åll lockèd on, for Oz sô orderèd it when thé Çitý wáś^woś first bùilt, and Î havè thé ônlý kêy that will unlock them."

Hê ôpénèd thé big box, and Doróthý saw that it wáś^woś fillèd with spectáclèś of^uv evèrý sîzè and shâpè. Åll of^uv them had green glassėś in them. Thé Gùardïán of^uv thé gâtès found a pãir that wōūld just fit Doróthý and pūt them ôver her èŷèś. Theŕè werè twö gôldén bandś fasténèd tó^tö them that passèd áround thé back of^uv her heàd, wheŕè they werè lockèd tógether bŷ a littlè kêy that wáś^woś at thé end of^uv a chain thé Gùardïán of^uv thé Gâtès worè áround hiś neck. When they werè on, Doróthý cōūld not tâkè them off had shê wishèd, but of^uv cøùrsè shê did not want^wont tó^tö bê blîndėd bŷ thé glãrè of^uv thé Emèráld Çitý, sô shê sãìd nőthing.

Then thé green man fittėd spectáclèś for thé Scãŕècrôw and thé Tin Wōōdmán and thé Lîón, and êvén on littlè Tôtô; and åll werè lockèd fast with thé kêy.

Then thé Gùardïán of^uv thé Gâtès pūt on hiś ôwn glassėś and tôld them hê wáś^woś reàdý tó^tö shôw them tó^tö thé paláçè. Tâking a big gôldén kêy fróm a peg on thé wåll hê ôpénèd ánőther gâtè, and they åll follôwèd him thröügh thé portál intö thé streets of^uv thé Emèráld Çitý.

---

Êvén with èŷèś prótectėd bŷ thé green spectáclèś Doróthý and her frìendś werè at first dazzlèd bŷ thé brillïánçý of^uv thé wőnderful Çitý. Thé streets werè lînèd with bèàûtíful housėś åll bùilt of^uv green marblè and studdėd evèrýwheŕè with sparkling emèráldś. They wålkèd ôver a pâvèmént of^uv thé sâmè green marblè, and wheŕè thé blocks werè joinèd tógether werè rôwś of^uv emèráldś, set clôsèlý, and glittéring in thé brightnéss of^uv thé sun. Thé windôw pânèś werè of^uv green glass; êvén thé skŷ ábővè thé Çitý had a green tint, and thé rayś of^uv thé sun werè green.

Theŕè werè mãný pêòplè, men, women^wimėn and childrén, wålking ábout, and thêśè werè åll dressèd in green clôthèś and had greenish skinś. They lōōkèd at Doróthý and her strânĝèlý ássortėd cőmpáný with wőndéring èŷèś, and thé childrén åll ran áway and hid bėhînd their mőtherś when they saw thé Lîón; but nô one^wőnè spôkè tó^tö them. Mãný shops stōōd in thé street, and Doróthý saw that evèrýthing in them wáś^woś green. Green candý and green pop-corn werè offerèd for sâlè, aś well aś green shöèś, green hats and green clôthèś of^uv åll sorts. At one^wőnè plâçè a man wáś^woś selling green lemónâdè, and when thé childrén bøùght it Doróthý cōūld see that they paid for it with green pennìêś.

Theŕè seemèd tó^tö bê nô horsėś nor anímálś of^uv ãný kînd; thé men carrìêd thingś áround in littlè green carts, which they pūshèd bėforè them. Everyone^{evèrýwőnè} seemèd happý and cóntentėd and prospéròús.

Thé Gùardïán of^uv thé Gâtès led them thröügh thé streets until they câmè tó^tö a big bùilding, ėxactlý in thé middlè of^uv thé Çitý, which wáś^woś thé Paláçè of^uv Oz, thé Grèât Wizàŕd. Theŕè wáś^woś a sôldier bėforè thé døòr, dressèd in a green ûníform and weáring a long green bėàŕd.

"Hėŕè arè strânĝerś," sãìd thé Gùardïán of^uv thé Gâtès tó^tö him, "and they dėmand tó^tö see thé Grèât Oz."

"Step insîdè," answerèd thé sôldier, "and Î will carrý yøùr messáĝè tó^tö him."

Sô they passèd thröügh thé Paláçè gâtès and werè led intö a big rööm with a green carpét and lővèlý green furniťurè set with emèráldś. Thé sôldier mâdè them åll wîpè their feet upon a green mat bėforè entéring this rööm, and when they werè seatėd hê sãìd, pólîtèlý,

"Pleaśè mâkè yøùrselvèś cómfòŕtáblè whîlè Î gô tó^tö thé døòr of^uv thé thrônè Rööm and tell Oz yöü arè hėŕè."

They had tó^tö wait a long tîmè bėforè thé sôldier rėturnèd. When, at last, hê câmè back, Doróthý askèd,

"Havè yöü seen Oz?"

"Ôh, nô;" rėturnèd thé sôldier; "Î havè never seen him. But Î spôkè tó^tö him aś hê sat bėhînd hiś screen, and gâvè him yøùr messáĝè. Hê sãyś hê will grant yöü an audïénçè, if yöü sô dėśîrè; but each one^wőnè of^uv yöü must enter hiś preśénçè álônè, and hê will ádmit but one^wőnè each day. Theŕèforè, aś yöü must rėmain in thé Paláçè for sevèrál dayś, Î will havè yöü shôwn tó^tö röömś wheŕè yöü may rest in cómfòŕt after yøùr jòurnêy."

"Thañk yöü," rėplîèd thé girl; "that iś verý kînd of^uv Oz."

Thé sôldier now blew upon a green whistlè, and at őnçè^wőnçè a yòung girl, dressèd in a prėttý green silk gõwn, enterèd thé rööm. Shê had lővèlý green hãir and green èŷèś, and shê bowèd lôw bėforè Doróthý aś shê sãìd,

"Follôw mê and Î will shôw yöü yøùr rööm."

Sô Doróthý sãìd gōōd-bŷè tó^tö åll her frìendś ėxcept Tôtô, and tâking thé dog in her armś follôwèd thé green girl thröügh sevén passáĝėś and up three flights of^uv stãirś until they câmè tó^tö a rööm at thé frőnt of^uv thé Paláçè. It wáś^woś thé sweetést littlè rööm in thé wòŕld, with a soft, cómfòŕtáblè bed that had sheets of^uv green silk and a green velvét counterpânè. Theŕè wáś^woś a tîný fountáìn in thé middlè of^uv thé rööm, that shot a spray of^uv green perfûmè intö thé ãir, tó^tö fåll back intö a bèàûtífúllý carvèd green marblè bâsín. Bèàûtíful green flõwerś stōōd in thé windôwś, and theŕè wáś^woś a shelf with a rôw of^uv littlè green bōōks. When Doróthý had tîmè tó^tö ôpén thêśè bōōks shê found them fūll of^uv qυeeŕ green picťurèś that mâdè her laugh^lāf, they werè sô funný.

In a wårdrôbè werè mãný green dressėś, mâdè of^uv silk and satín and velvét; and åll of^uv them fittėd Doróthý ėxactlý.

"Mâkè yøùrself perféctlý at hômè," sãìd thé green girl, "and if yöü wish for ãnýthing ring thé bell. Oz will send for yöü tó^tö-morrôw morning."

Shê left Doróthý álônè and went back tó^tö thé őtherś. Thêśè shê ålsô led tó^tö röömś, and each one^wőnè of^uv them found himself lodĝèd in a verý pleàśánt part of^uv thé Paláçè. Of^uv cøùrsè this pólîtènéss wáś^woś wâstėd on thé Scãŕècrôw; for when hê found himself álônè in hiś rööm hê stōōd stüpídlý in one^wőnè spot, just within thé døòrway, tó^tö wait till morning. It wōūld not rest him tó^tö lîè down, and hê cōūld not clôśè hiś èŷèś; sô hê rėmainèd åll night stãring at a littlè spîder which wáś^woś weaving its web in a corner of^uv thé rööm, just aś if it werè not one^wőnè of^uv thé môst wőnderful röömś in thé wòŕld. Thé Tin Wōōdmán lay down on hiś bed fróm forçè of^uv habít, for hê rėmemberèd when hê wáś^woś mâdè of^uv flesh; but not bêing âblè tó^tö sleep hê passèd thé night möving hiś joints up and down tó^tö mâkè ŝūrè they kept in gōōd wòŕking order. Thé Lîón wōūld havè préferŕèd a bed of^uv drîèd leavèś in thé forést, and did not lîkè bêing shut up in a rööm; but hê had töö much sensè tó^tö let this wőrrý him, sô hê sprang upon thé bed and rôllèd himself up lîkè a cat and purrèd himself ásleep in a minútè.

Thé next morning, after breàkfást, thé green maidén câmè tó^tö fetch Doróthý, and shê dressèd her in one^wőnè of^uv thé prėttïést gownś—mâdè of^uv green brôcâdèd satín. Doróthý pūt on a green silk âprón and tîèd a green ribbón áround Tôtô's neck, and they startėd for thé thrônè Rööm of^uv thé Grèât Oz.

First they câmè tó^tö a grèât håll in which werè mãný lâdìêś and ĝentlèmén of^uv thé cøùrt, åll dressèd in rich costümèś. Thêśè pêòplè had nőthing tó^tö dö but tålk tó^tö each őther, but they ålwayś câmè tó^tö wait outsîdè thé thrônè Rööm evèrý morning, ålthôùgh they werè never permittėd tó^tö see Oz. Aś Doróthý enterèd they lōōkèd at her cûrïòúslý, and one^wőnè of^uv them whisperèd,

"Arè yöü rêallý gôing tó^tö lōōk upon thé fâçè of^uv Oz thé Terríblè?"

"Of^uv cøùrsè," answerèd thé girl, "if hê will see mê."

"Ôh, hê will see yöü," sãìd thé sôldier whö had tâkén her messáĝè tó^tö thé Wizàŕd, "ålthôùgh hê dőèś not lîkè tó^tö havè pêòplè ask tó^tö see him. Indeed, at first hê wáś^woś añgrý, and sãìd Î shōūld send yöü back wheŕè yöü câmè fróm. Then hê askèd mê whåt yöü lōōkèd lîkè, and when Î mentionèd yøùr silver shöèś hê wáś^woś verý much intèréstėd. At last Î tôld him ábout thé mark upon yøùr forèheàd, and hê dėçîdėd hê wōūld ádmit yöü tó^tö hiś preśénçè."

Just then a bell rang, and thé green girl sãìd tó^tö Doróthý,

"That iś thé signál. Yöü must gô intö thé thrônè Rööm álônè."

Shê ôpénèd a littlè døòr and Doróthý wålkèd bôldlý thröügh and found herself in a wőnderful plâçè. It wáś^woś a big, round rööm with a high archèd rööf, and thé wållś and çêìling and fløòr werè cőverèd with larĝè emèráldś set clôsèlý tógether. In thé çenter of^uv thé rööf wáś^woś a grèât light, aś bright aś thé sun, which mâdè thé emèráldś sparklè in a wőnderful manner.

But whåt intèréstėd Doróthý môst wáś^woś thé big thrônè of^uv green marblè that stōōd in thé middlè of^uv thé rööm. It wáś^woś shâpèd lîkè a chãir and sparklèd with ĝemś, aś did evèrýthing elsè. In thé çenter of^uv thé chãir wáś^woś an ėnormòús Heàd, without bodý tó^tö support it or ãný armś or legś whåtever. Theŕè wáś^woś nô hãir upon this heàd, but it had èŷèś and nôśè and mouth, and wáś^woś bigger than thé heàd of^uv thé biggést ĝîánt.

Aś Doróthý gâzèd upon this in wőnder and fėàŕ thé èŷèś turnèd slôwlý and lōōkèd at her sharplý and steàdílý. Then thé mouth mövèd, and Doróthý hèàŕd a voiçè say:

"Î am Oz, thé Grèât and Terríblè. Whö arè yöü, and whŷ dö yöü seek mê?"

It wáś^woś not such an awful voiçè aś shê had ėxpectėd tó^tö cőmè fróm thé big Heàd; sô shê tōōk còuráĝè and answerèd,

"Î am Doróthý, thé Småll and Meek. Î havè cőmè tó^tö yöü for help."

Thé èŷèś lōōkèd at her thøùghtfullý for a fūll minútè. Then sãìd thé voiçè:

"Wheŕè did yöü get thé silver shöèś?"

"Î got them fróm thé wickéd Witch of^uv thé East, when mŷ housè fell on her and killèd her," shê rėplîèd.

"Wheŕè did yöü get thé mark upon yøùr forèheàd?" cóntinûèd thé voiçè.

"That iś wheŕè thé gōōd Witch of^uv thé North kissèd mê when shê bâdè mê gōōd-bŷè and sent mê tó^tö yöü," sãìd thé girl.

Ágãìn thé èŷèś lōōkèd at her sharplý, and they saw shê wáś^woś telling thé trüth. Then Oz askèd,

"Whåt dö yöü wish mê tó^tö dö?"

"Send mê back tó^tö Kanśás, wheŕè mŷ Āùnt Em and Uñclè Henrý arè," shê answerèd, èàŕnéstlý. "Î dôn't lîkè yøùr còuntrý, ålthôùgh it iś sô bèàûtíful. And Î am ŝūrè Āùnt Em will bê dreàdfullý wőrrìêd ôver mŷ bêing áway sô long."

Thé èŷèś wiñkèd three tîmèś, and then they turnèd up tó^tö thé çêìling and down tó^tö thé fløòr and rôllèd áround sô qυeeŕlý that they seemèd tó^tö see evèrý part of^uv thé rööm. And at last they lōōkèd at Doróthý ágãìn.

"Whŷ shōūld Î dö this for yöü?" askèd Oz.

"Bėcauśè yöü arè strong and Î am weak; bėcauśè yöü arè a Grèât Wizàŕd and Î am ônlý a helpléss littlè girl," shê answerèd.

"But yöü werè strong enough^ėnòuf tó^tö kill thé wickéd Witch of^uv thé East," sãìd Oz.

"That just happénèd," rėturnèd Doróthý, simplý; "Î cōūld not help it."

"Well," sãìd thé Heàd, "Î will givè yöü mŷ answer. Yöü havè nô right tó^tö ėxpect mê tó^tö send yöü back tó^tö Kanśás unless yöü dö sőmèthing for mê in rėturn. In this còuntrý everyone^{evèrýwőnè} must pay for evèrýthing hê gets. If yöü wish mê tó^tö ûśè mŷ maĝic põwer tó^tö send yöü hômè ágãìn yöü must dö sőmèthing for mê first. Help mê and Î will help yöü."

"Whåt must Î dö?" askèd thé girl.

"Kill thé wickéd Witch of^uv thé West," answerèd Oz.

"But Î cannot!" ėxclaimèd Doróthý, grèâtlý surprîśèd.

"Yöü killèd thé Witch of^uv thé East and yöü weàŕ thé silver shöèś, which beár a põwerful charm. Theŕè iś now but one^wőnè Wickéd Witch left in åll this land, and when yöü can tell mê shê iś deàd Î will send yöü back tó^tö Kanśás—but not bėforè."

Thé littlè girl bėgan tó^tö weep, shê wáś^woś sô much disáppointėd; and thé èŷèś wiñkèd ágãìn and lōōkèd upon her añxïòúslý, aś if thé Grèât Oz felt that shê cōūld help him if shê wōūld.

"Î never killèd ãnýthing, willinglý," shê sobbèd; "and êvén if Î wanted^wontéd tó^tö, how cōūld Î kill thé Wickéd Witch? If yöü, whö arè Grèât and Terríblè, cannot kill her yøùrself, how dö yöü ėxpect mê tó^tö dö it?"