www.freeclassicebooks.com

You're just a mix-up," declared the Emperor.

Now, now, gentlemen," interrupted Nimmie Amee, "I must ask you to be

more respectful to poor Chopfyt. For, being my guests, it is not polite for you

to insult my husband."

"Your husband!" the tin twins exclaimed in dismay.

"Yes," said she. "I married Chopfyt a long time ago, because my other two

sweethearts had deserted me."

This reproof embarrassed both Nick Chopper and Captain Fyter. They

looked down, shamefaced, for a moment, and then the Tin Woodman

explained in an earnest voice:

I rusted."

So did I," said the Tin Soldier.

I could not know that, of course," asserted Nimmie Amee. "All I knew was

that neither of you came to marry me, as you had promised to do. But men

are not scarce in the Land of Oz. After I came here to live, I met Mr. Chopfyt,

and he was the more interesting because he reminded me strongly of both

of you, as you were before you became tin. He even had a tin arm, and that

reminded me of you the more.

"No wonder!" remarked the Scarecrow.

But, listen, Nimmie Amee!" said the astonished Woot; "he really is both of

them, for he is made of their cast-off parts."

Oh, you're quite wrong," declared Polychrome, laughing, for she was greatly

enjoying the confusion of the others. "The tin men are still themselves, as

they will tell you, and so Chopfyt must be someone else."

They looked at her bewildered, for the facts in the case were too puzzling to

be grasped at once.

"It is all the fault of old Ku-Klip," muttered the Tin Woodman. "He had no

right to use our castoff parts to make another man with."

"It seems he did it, however," said Nimmie Amee calmly, "and I married him

because he resembled you both. I won't say he is a husband to be proud of,

because he has a mixed nature and isn't always an agreeable companion.

There are times when I have to chide him gently, both with my tongue and

117

The Tin Woodman of Oz