9. The Isle of the Magic Flower

           TheGlassCatwasagoodguideandledTrotandCap’nBillbystraightandeasypathsthroughallthesettledpartoftheMunchkinCountry,andthenintothenorthsectionwheretherewerefewhouses,andfinallythroughawildcountrywheretherewerenohousesorpathsatall.Butthewalkingwasnotdifficultandatlasttheycametotheedgeofaforestandstoppedtheretomakecampandsleepuntilmorning.

           FrombranchesoftreesCap’nBillmadeatinyhousethatwasjustbigenoughforthelittlegirltocrawlintoandliedown.ButfirsttheyatesomeofthefoodTrothadcarriedinthebasket.

           "Don’tyouwantsome,too?"sheaskedtheGlassCat.

           "No,"answeredthecreature.

           "Isupposeyou’llhuntaroundan’catchamouse,"remarkedCap’nBill.

           "Me?Catchamouse!WhyshouldIdothat?"inquiredtheGlassCat.

           "Why,thenyoucouldeatit,"saidthesailor-man.

           "Ibegtoinformyou,"returnedthecrystaltabby,"thatIdonoteatmice.Beingtransparent,soanyonecanseethroughme,I’dlooknice,wouldn’tI,withacommonmouseinsideme?ButthefactisthatIhaven’tanystomachorothermachinerythatwouldpermitmetoeatthings.Thecarelessmagicianwhomademedidn’tthinkI’dneedtoeat,Isuppose."

           "Don’tyouevergethungryorthirsty?"askedTrot.

           "Never.Idon’tcomplain,youknow,atthewayI’mmade,forI’veneveryetseenanylivingthingasbeautifulasIam.Ihavethehandsomestbrainsintheworld.They’repink,andyoucansee’emwork."

           "Iwonder,"saidTrotthoughtfully,assheateherbreadandjam,"ifMYbrainswhirlaroundinthesamewayyoursdo.