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"For pigs, they're quite respectable," remarked Woot, as they all went toward

the straw-stack.

"I'm glad they didn't invite us in," said Captain Fyter. "I hope I'm not too

particular about my associates, but I draw the line at pigs."

The Scarecrow was glad to be rid of his hay, for during the long walk it had

sagged down and made him fat and squatty and more bumpy than at first.

"I'm not specially proud," he said, "but I love a manly figure, such as only

straw stuffing can create. I've not felt like myself since that hungry Hip-po

ate my last straw."

Polychrome and Woot set to work removing the hay and then they selected

the finest straw, crisp and golden, and with it stuffed the Scarecrow anew.

He certainly looked better after the operation, and he was so pleased at

being reformed that he tried to dance a little jig, and almost succeeded.

"I shall sleep under the straw-stack tonight," Woot decided, after he had

eaten some of the vegetables from the garden, and in fact he slept very well,

with the two tin men and the Scarecrow sitting silently beside him and

Polychrome away somewhere in the moonlight dancing her fairy dances.

At daybreak the Tin Woodman and the Tin Soldier took occasion to polish

their bodies and oil their joints, for both were exceedingly careful of their

personal appearance. They had forgotten the quarrel due to their accidental

bumping of one another in the invisible country, and being now good friends

the Tin Woodman polished the Tin Soldier's back for him and then the Tin

Soldier polished the Tin Woodman's back.

For breakfast the Wanderer ate crisp lettuce and radishes, and the

Rainbow's Daughter, who had now returned to her friends, sipped the

dewdrops that had formed on the petals of the wild-flowers.

As they passed the little house to renew their journey, Woot called out:

Good-bye, Mr. and Mrs. Swyne!"

The window opened and the two pigs looked out.

"A pleasant journey," said the Professor.

Have you any children?" asked the Scarecrow, who was a great friend of

children.

108

The Tin Woodman of Oz