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Chapter Six - The Magic of a Yookoohoo

Woot had seen very little of magic during his wanderings, while the

Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman had seen a great deal of many sorts in

their lives, yet all three were greatly impressed by Mrs. Yoop's powers. She

did not affect any mysterious airs or indulge in chants or mystic rites, as

most witches do, nor was the Giantess old and ugly or disagreeable in face

or manner. Nevertheless, she frightened her prisoners more than any witch

could have done.

"Please be seated," she said to them, as she sat herself down in a great arm-

chair and spread her beautiful embroidered skirts for them to admire. But

all the chairs in the room were so high that our friends could not climb to

the seats of them. Mrs. Yoop observed this and waved her hand, when

instantly a golden ladder appeared leaning against a chair opposite her own.

Climb up," said she, and they obeyed, the Tin Man and the boy assisting

the more clumsy Scarecrow. When they were all seated in a row on the

cushion of the chair, the Giantess continued: "Now tell me how you

happened to travel in this direction, and where you came from and what

your errand is."

So the Tin Woodman told her all about Nimmie Amee, and how he had

decided to find her and marry her, although he had no Loving Heart. The

story seemed to amuse the big woman, who then began to ask the

Scarecrow questions and for the first time in her life heard of Ozma of Oz,

and of Dorothy and Jack Pumpkinhead and Dr. Pipt and Tik-tok and many

other Oz people who are well known in the Emerald City. Also Woot had to

tell his story, which was very simple and did not take long. The Giantess

laughed heartily when the boy related their adventure at Loonville, but said

she knew nothing of the Loons because she never left her Valley.

There are wicked people who would like to capture me, as they did my giant

husband, Mr. Yoop," said she; "so I stay at home and mind my own

business."

"If Ozma knew that you dared to work magic without her consent, she would

punish you severely," declared the Scarecrow, "for this castle is in the Land

of Oz, and no persons in the Land of Oz are permitted to work magic except

Glinda the Good and the little Wizard who lives with Ozma in the Emerald

City."

The Tin Woodman of Oz