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16. How Dorothy Visited Utensia

There must have been from six to eight dozen spoons in the Brigade, and

they marched away in the shape of a hollow square, with Dorothy, Billina

and Toto in the center of the square. Before they had gone very far Toto

knocked over one of the spoons by wagging his tail, and then the Captain

of the Spoons told the little dog to be more careful, or he would be

punished. So Toto was careful, and the Spoon Brigade moved along with

astonishing swiftness, while Dorothy really had to walk fast to keep up

with it.

By and by they left the woods and entered a big clearing, in which was

the Kingdom of Utensia.

Standing all around the clearing were a good many cookstoves, ranges

and grills, of all sizes and shapes, and besides these there were several

kitchen cabinets and cupboards and a few kitchen tables. These things

were crowded with utensils of all sorts: frying pans, sauce pans, kettles,

forks, knives, basting and soup spoons, nutmeg graters, sifters,

colanders, meat saws, flat irons, rolling pins and many other things of a

like nature.

When the Spoon Brigade appeared with the prisoners a wild shout arose

and many of the utensils hopped off their stoves or their benches and

ran crowding around Dorothy and the hen and the dog.

Stand back!" cried the Captain, sternly, and he led his captives through

the curious throng until they came before a big range that stood in the

center of the clearing. Beside this range was a butcher block upon which

lay a great cleaver with a keen edge. It rested upon the flat of its back,

its legs were crossed and it was smoking a long pipe.

Wake up, your Majesty," said the Captain. "Here are prisoners."

Hearing this, King Kleaver sat up and looked at Dorothy sharply.

Gristle and fat!" he cried. "Where did this girl come from?"

I found her in the forest and brought her here a prisoner," replied the

Captain.

Why did you do that?" inquired the King, puffing his pipe lazily.

The Emerald City of Oz