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with my broomstick. But he is my husband, and I must make the best of

him."

"If you don't like him," suggested the Tin Woodman, "Captain Fyter and I

can chop him up with our axe and sword, and each take such parts of the

fellow as belong to him. Then we are willing for you to select one of us as

your husband."

That is a good idea," approved Captain Fyter, drawing his sword.

"No," said Nimmie Amee; "I think I'll keep the husband I now have. He is

now trained to draw the water and carry in the wood and hoe the cabbages

and weed the flower-beds and dust the furniture and perform many tasks of

a like character. A new husband would have to be scolded--and gently

chided--until he learns my ways. So I think it will be better to keep my

Chopfyt, and I see no reason why you should object to him. You two

gentlemen threw him away when you became tin, because you had no

further use for him, so you cannot justly claim him now. I advise you to go

back to your own homes and forget me, as I have forgotten you."

Good advice!" laughed Polychrome, dancing.

Are you happy?" asked the Tin Soldier.

Of course I am," said Nimmie Amee; "I'm the mistress of all I survey--the

queen of my little domain."

Wouldn't you like to be the Empress of the Winkies?" asked the Tin

Woodman.

"Mercy, no," she answered. "That would be a lot of bother. I don't care for

society, or pomp, or posing. All I ask is to be left alone and not to be

annoyed by visitors."

The Scarecrow nudged Woot the Wanderer.

That sounds to me like a hint," he said.

"Looks as if we'd had our journey for nothing," remarked Woot, who was a

little ashamed and disappointed because he had proposed the journey.

"I am glad, however," said the Tin Woodman, "that I have found Nimmie

Amee, and discovered that she is already married and happy. It will relieve

me of any further anxiety concerning her."

118

The Tin Woodman of Oz