10. The Giant with the Hammer

           Theroadledforatimethroughaprettyfarmcountry,andthenpastapicnicgrovethatwasveryinviting.ButtheprocessioncontinuedtosteadilyadvanceuntilBillinacriedinanabruptandcommandingmanner:

           "Wait--wait!"

           OzmastoppedherchariotsosuddenlythattheScarecrow’sSawhorsenearlyranintoit,andtheranksofthearmytumbledoveroneanotherbeforetheycouldcometoahalt.ImmediatelytheyellowhenstruggledfromDorothy’sarmsandflewintoaclumpofbushesbytheroadside.

           "What’sthematter?"calledtheTinWoodman,anxiously.

           "Why,Billinawantstolayheregg,that’sall,"saidDorothy.

           "Layheregg!"repeatedtheTinWoodman,inastonishment.

           "Yes;shelaysoneeverymorning,aboutthistime;andit’squitefresh,"saidthegirl.

           "Butdoesyourfoolisholdhensupposethatthisentirecavalcade,whichisboundonanimportantadventure,isgoingtostandstillwhileshelaysheregg?"enquiredtheTinWoodman,earnestly.

           "Whatelsecanwedo?"askedthegirl."It’sahabitofBillina’sandshecan’tbreakherselfofit."

           "Thenshemusthurryup,"saidtheTinWoodman,impatiently.

           "No,no!"exclaimedtheScarecrow."Ifshehurriesshemaylayscrambledeggs."

           "That’snonsense,"saidDorothy."ButBillinawon’tbelong,I’msure."

           Sotheystoodandwaited,althoughallwererestlessandanxioustoproceed.Andbyandbytheyellowhencamefromthebushessaying:

           "Kut-kut,kut,ka-daw-kutt!Kut,kut,kut--ka-daw-kut!"

           "Whatisshedoing--singingherlay?"askedtheScarecrow.