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"Then it must be this boy you wish me to help," said Ku-Klip, looking at

Woot.

No," said Woot, "we are not here to seek your skill, but have merely come to

you for information."

Then, between them, they related their search for Nimmie Amee, whom the

Tin Woodman explained he had resolved to marry, yet who had promised to

become the bride of the Tin Soldier before he unfortunately became rusted.

And when the story was told, they asked Ku-Klip if he knew what had

become of Nimmie Amee.

"Not exactly," replied the old man, "but I know that she wept bitterly when

the Tin Soldier did not come to marry her, as he had promised to do. The old

Witch was so provoked at the girl's tears that she beat Nimmie Amee with

her crooked stick and then hobbled away to gather some magic herbs, with

which she intended to transform the girl into an old hag, so that no one

would again love her or care to marry her. It was while she was away on this

errand that Dorothy's house fell on the Wicked Witch, and she turned to

dust and blew away. When I heard this good news, I sent Nimmie Amee to

find the Silver Shoes which the Witch had worn, but Dorothy had taken

them with her to the Emerald City."

"Yes, we know all about those Silver Shoes," said the Scarecrow.

Well," continued Ku-Klip, "after that, Nimmie Amee decided to go away from

the forest and live with some people she was acquainted with who had a

house on Mount Munch. I have never seen the girl since."

"Do you know the name of the people on Mount Munch, with whom she

went to live?" asked the Tin Woodman.

"No, Nimmie Amee did not mention her friend's name, and I did not ask her.

She took with her all that she could carry of the goods that were in the

Witch's house, and she told me I could have the rest. But when I went there

I found nothing worth taking except some magic powders that I did not

know how to use, and a bottle of Magic Glue."

What is Magic Glue?" asked Woot.

It is a magic preparation with which to mend people when they cut

themselves. One time, long ago, I cut off one of my fingers by accident, and I

carried it to the Witch, who took down her bottle and glued it on again for

me. See!" showing them his finger, "it is as good as ever it was. No one else

The Tin Woodman of Oz