第27章 A Good Friend (4)

I'll not forget Nick Chopper, the Woodman made of Tin, Whose tender heart thinks killing time is quite a dreadful sin, Nor old Professor Woggle-Bug, who's highly magnified And looks so big to everyone that he is filled with pride.

Jack Pumpkinhead's a dear old chum who might be called a chump, But won renown by riding round upon a magic Gump;The Sawhorse is a splendid steed and though he's made of wood He does as many thrilling stunts as any meat horse could.

And now I'll introduce a beast that ev'ryone adores--The Cowardly Lion shakes with fear 'most ev'ry time he roars, And yet he does the bravest things that any lion might, Because he knows that cowardice is not considered right.

There's Tik-tok-he's a clockwork man and quite a funny sight--He talks and walks mechanically, when he's wound up tight;And we've a Hungry Tiger who would babies love to eat But never does because we feed him other kinds of meat.

It's hard to name all of the freaks this noble Land's acquired;'Twould make my song so very long that you would soon be tired;But give attention while I mention one wise Yellow Hen And Nine fine Tiny Piglets living in a golden pen.

Just search the whole world over--sail the seas from coast to coast--No other nation in creation queerer folk can boast;And now our rare museum will include a Cat of Glass, A Woozy, and--last but not least--a crazy Patchwork Lass."Ojo was so pleased with this song that he applauded the singer by clapping his hands, and Scraps followed suit by clapping her padded fingers together.although they made no noise.

The cat pounded on the floor with her glass paws--gently, so as not to break them--and the Woozy.which had been asleep, woke up to ask what the row was about.

"I seldom sing in public, for fear they might want me to start an opera company," remarked the Shaggy Man, who was pleased to know his effort was appreciated."Voice, just now is a little out of training; rusty, perhaps.""Tell me," said the Patchwork Girl earnestly, "do all those queer people you mention really live in the Land of Oz?""Every one of 'em.I even forgot one thing:

Dorothy's Pink Kitten."

"For goodness sake!" exclaimed Bungle, sitting up and looking interested."A Pink Kitten? How absurd! Is it glass?""No; just ordinary kitten."

"Then it can't amount to much.I have pink brains, and you can see 'em work.""Dorothy's kitten is all pink--brains and all--except blue eyes.Name's Eureka.Great favorite at the royal palace," said the Shaggy Man, yawning.

The Glass Cat seemed annoyed.

"Do you think a pink kitten--common meat--is as pretty as I am?" she asked.

"Can't say.Tastes differ, you know," replied the Shaggy Man, yawning again."But here's a pointer that may be of service to you: make friends with Eureka and you'll be solid at the palace.""I'm solid now; solid glass."

"You don't understand," rejoined the Shaggy Man, sleepily."Anyhow, make friends with the Pink Kitten and you'll be all right.If the Pink Kitten despises you, look out for breakers.""Would anyone at the royal palace break a Glass Cat?""Might.You never can tell.Advise you to purr soft and look humble--if you can.And now I'm going to bed."Bungle considered the Shaggy Man's advice so carefully that her pink brains were busy long after the others of the party were fast asleep.