L.Frank Baum. The marvelous land of Oz -
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the course of my wanderings I had the good fortune to save the ninth life
of a tailor - tailors having, like cats, nine lives, as you probably know.
The fellow was exceedingly grateful, for had he lost that ninth life it
would have been the end of him; so he begged permission to furnish me with
the stylish costume I now wear. It fits very nicely, does it not?" and the
Woggle-Bug stood up and turned himself around slowly, that all might
examine his person.
"He must have been a good tailor," said the Scarecrow, somewhat
enviously.
"He was a good-hearted tailor, at any rate," observed Nick Chopper.
"But where were you going, when you met us?" Tip asked the
Woggle-Bug.
"Nowhere in particular," was the reply, "although it is my intention
soon to visit the Emerald City and arrange to give a course of lectures to
select audiences on the 'Advantages of Magnification.'"
"We are bound for the Emerald City now," said the Tin Woodman; "so,
if it pleases you to do so, you are welcome to travel in our company."
The Woggle-Bug bowed with profound grace.
"It will give me great pleasure," said he "to accept your kind
invitation; for nowhere in the Land of Oz could I hope to meet with so
congenial a company."
"That is true," acknowledged the Pumpkinhead. "We are quite as
congenial as flies and honey."
"But - pardon me if I seem inquisitive - are you not all rather -
ahem! rather unusual?" asked the Woggle-Bug, looking from one to another
with unconcealed interest.
"Not more so than yourself," answered the Scarecrow. "Everything in
life is unusual until you get accustomed to it."
"What rare philosophy!" exclaimed the Woggle-Bug, admiringly.
"Yes; my brains are working well today," admitted the Scarecrow, an