10. How the Cuttenclips Lived

           ThetravelershadtakennoprovisionswiththembecausetheyknewthattheywouldbewelcomedwherevertheymightgointheLandofOz,andthatthepeoplewouldfeedandlodgethemwithgenuinehospitality.Soaboutnoontheystoppedatafarm-houseandweregivenadeliciousluncheonofbreadandmilk,fruitsandwheatcakeswithmaplesyrup.Afterrestingawhileandstrollingthroughtheorchardswiththeirhost--around,jollyfarmer--theygotintothewagonandagainstartedtheSawhorsealongthepretty,windingroad.

           Thereweresignpostsatallthecorners,andfinallytheycametoonewhichread:

           TAKETHISROADTOTHECUTTENCLIPS

           Therewasalsoahandpointingintherightdirection,sotheyturnedtheSawhorsethatwayandfounditaverygoodroad,butseeminglylittletraveled.

           "I’veneverseentheCuttenclipsbefore,"remarkedDorothy.

           "NorI,"saidtheCaptainGeneral.

           "NorI,"saidtheWizard.

           "NorI,"saidBillina.

           "I’vehardlybeenoutoftheEmeraldCitysinceIarrivedinthiscountry,"addedtheShaggyMan.

           "Why,noneofushasbeenthere,then,"exclaimedthelittlegirl."IwonderwhattheCuttenclipsarelike."

           "Weshallsoonfindout,"saidtheWizard,withaslylaugh."I’veheardtheyareratherflimsythings."

           Thefarm-housesbecamefewerastheyproceeded,andthepathwasattimessofaintthattheSawhorsehadhardworktokeepintheroad.Thewagonbegantojounce,too;sotheywereobligedtogoslowly.

           Afterasomewhatwearisomejourneytheycameinsightofahighwall,paintedbluewithpinkornaments.Thiswallwascircular,andseemedtoenclosealargespace.