L.Frank Baum. The marvelous land of Oz -
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carelessly that the Woggle-Bug looked frightened, and shrank away to a
safe distance.
The others marched on in silence, and the Highly Magnified one, after
a period of deep thought, said in an humble voice:
"I will endeavor to restrain myself."
"That is all we can expect," returned the Scarecrow pleasantly; and
good nature being thus happily restored to the party, they proceeded upon
their way.
When they again stopped to allow Tip to rest - the boy being the only
one that seemed to tire - the Tin Woodman noticed many small, round holes
in the grassy meadow.
"This must be a village of the Field Mice," he said to the Scarecrow.
" I wonder if my old friend, the Queen of the Mice, is in this
neighborhood."
"If she is, she may be of great service to us," answered the
Scarecrow, who was impressed by a sudden thought. "See if you can call
her, my dear Nick."
So the Tin Woodman blew a shrill note upon a silver whistle that hung
around his neck, and presently a tiny grey mouse popped from a near-by
hole and advanced fearlessly toward them. For the Tin Woodman had once
saved her life, and the Queen of the Field Mice knew he was to be trusted.
"
"Good day, your Majesty, said Nick, politely addressing the mouse; "I
trust you are enjoying good health?"
"Thank you, I am quite well," answered the Queen, demurely, as she
sat up and displayed the tiny golden crown upon her head. "Can I do
anything to assist my old friends?"
"You can, indeed," replied the Scarecrow, eagerly. "Let me, I intreat
you, take a dozen of your subjects with me to the Emerald City."
"Will they be injured in any way?" asked the Queen, doubtfully.
"I think not," replied the Scarecrow. "I will carry them hidden in