24. How the Tin Woodman Told the Sad News

           TheTinWoodmanreceivedPrincessDorothy’spartywithmuchgraceandcordiality,yetthelittlegirldecidedthatsomethingmustbeworryingwithheroldfriend,becausehewasnotsomerryasusual.

           Butatfirstshesaidnothingaboutthis,forUncleHenryandAuntEmwerefairlybubblingoverwithadmirationforthebeautifultincastleanditspolishedtinowner.Sohersuspicionthatsomethingunpleasanthadhappenedwasforatimeforgotten.

           "WhereistheScarecrow?"sheasked,whentheyhadallbeenusheredintothebigtindrawing-roomofthecastle,theSawhorsebeingledaroundtothetinstableintherear.

           "Why,ouroldfriendhasjustmovedintohisnewmansion,"explainedtheTinWoodman."Ithasbeenalongtimeinbuilding,althoughmyWinkiesandmanyotherpeoplefromallpartsofthecountryhavebeenbusilyworkinguponit.Atlast,however,itiscompleted,andtheScarecrowtookpossessionofhisnewhomejusttwodaysago."

           "Ihadn’theardthathewantedahomeofhisown,"saidDorothy."Whydoesn’thelivewithOzmaintheEmeraldCity?Heusedto,youknow;andIthoughthewashappythere."

           "Itseems,"saidtheTinWoodman,"thatourdearScarecrowcannotbecontentedwithcitylife,howeverbeautifulhissurroundingsmightbe.Originallyhewasafarmer,forhepassedhisearlylifeinacornfield,wherehewassupposedtofrightenawaythecrows."

           "Iknow,"saidDorothy,nodding."Ifoundhim,andliftedhimdownfromhispole."

           "Sonow,afteralongresidenceintheEmeraldCity,histasteshaveturnedtofarmlifeagain,"continuedtheTinMan.