www.freeclassicebooks.com

"It's safer for me to sing," said the Knight mournfully, and throwing back his

head, he roared in a high, hoarse voice:

"Don't yawn! Don't yawn!

We're out of breath--

Begone--

BEGONE Or die the death!"

The Cowardly Lion growled threateningly and began lashing his tail.

"If he weren't in a can, I'd eat him," he rumbled, "but I never could abide

tinned meat."

He's not in a can, he's in armor," explained Dorothy, too interested to pay

much attention to the Cowardly Lion, for at the first note of the Knight's

song, the Pokes began scowling horribly, and by the time he had finished

they were backing out of the room faster than Dorothy ever imagined they

could go.

"So that's why the sign said don't sing," thought Dorothy to herself. The air

seemed clearer somehow, and she no longer felt sleepy.

When the last Poke had disappeared, the Knight sighed and climbed gravely

back on his stone chair.

My singing makes them very wroth. In faith, they cannot endure music; it

wakens them," explained Sir Hokus. "But hold, 'twas food you asked of me.

Breakfast, I believe you called it." With an uneasy glance at the Cowardly

Lion, who was sniffing the air hungrily, the Knight banged on his steel

armor with his sword, and a fat, lazy Poke shuffled slowly into the hall.

"Pid, bring the stew," roared Sir Hokus as the Poke stood blinking at them

dully.

Stew, Pid!" he repeated loudly, and began to hum under his breath, at

which Pid fairly ran out of the room, returning in a few minutes with a large

yellow bowl. This he handed ungraciously to Dorothy. Then he brought a

great copper tub of the stuff for the Cowardly Lion and retired sulkily.

Dorothy thought she had never tasted anything more delicious. The

Cowardly Lion was gulping down his share with closed eyes, and both, I am

very sorry to say, forgot even to thank Sir Hokus.

"Are you perchance a damsel in distress?"

Quite startled, Dorothy looked up from her bowl and saw the Knight

regarding her wistfully.

The Royal Book of Oz