L.Frank Baum. The marvelous land of Oz -
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happen to be the King."
"I heard them, say" remarked Tip, with some hesitation, "that they
intend to make a rag carpet of your outside and stuff their sofa-cushions
with your inside."
"Then I am really in danger," declared his Majesty, positively, "and
it will be wise for me to consider a means to escape."
"Where can you go?" asked Jack Pumpkinhead.
"Why, to my friend the Tin Woodman, who rules over the Winkies, and
calls himself their Emperor," was the answer. "I am sure he will protect
me."
Tip was looking out the window.
"The palace is surrounded by the enemy," said he "It is too late to
escape. They would soon tear you to pieces."
The Scarecrow sighed.
"In an emergency," he announced, "it is always a good thing to pause
and reflect. Please excuse me while I pause and reflect."
"But we also are in danger," said the Pumpkinhead, anxiously." If any
of these girls understand cooking, my end is not far off!"
"Nonsense!" exclaimed the Scarecrow. "they're too busy to cook, even
if they know how!"
"But should I remain here a prisoner for any length of time,"
protested Jack," I'm liable to spoil."
"Ah! then you would not be fit to associate with," returned the
Scarecrow. "The matter is more serious than I suspected."
"You," said the Pumpkinhead, gloomily, "are liable to live for many
years. My life is necessarily short. So I must take advantage of the few
days that remain to me."
"There, there! Don't worry," answered the Scarecrow soothingly; "if
you'll keep quiet long enough for me to think, I'll try to find some way
for us all to escape."
So the others waited in patient silence while the Scarecrow walked to
a corner and stood with his face to the wall for a good five minutes. At