25. How the Scarecrow Displayed His Wisdom

           ThisamazingnewshadsaddenedeveryheartandallwerenowanxioustoreturntotheEmeraldCityandshareOzma’sfate.Sotheystartedwithoutlossoftime,andastheroadledpasttheScarecrow’snewmansiontheydeterminedtomakeabriefhaltthereandconferwithhim.

           "TheScarecrowisprobablythewisestmaninallOz,"remarkedtheTinWoodman,whentheyhadstartedupontheirjourney."Hisbrainsareplentifulandofexcellentquality,andoftenhehastoldmethingsImightneverhavethoughtofmyself.ImustsayIrelyagreatdealupontheScarecrow’sbrainsinthisemergency."

           TheTinWoodmanrodeonthefrontseatofthewagon,whereDorothysatbetweenhimandtheWizard.

           "HastheScarecrowheardofOzma’strouble?"askedtheCaptainGeneral.

           "Idonotknow,sir,"wasthereply.

           "WhenIwasaprivate,"saidOmbyAmby,"Iwasanexcellentarmy,asIfullyprovedinourwaragainsttheNomes.Butnowthereisnotasingleprivateleftinourarmy,sinceOzmamademetheCaptainGeneral,sothereisnoonetofightanddefendourlovelyRuler."

           "True,"saidtheWizard."Thepresentarmyiscomposedonlyofofficers,andthebusinessofanofficeristoorderhismentofight.Sincetherearenomentherecanbenofighting."

           "PoorOzma!"whisperedDorothy,withtearsinhersweeteyes."It’sdreadfultothinkofallherlovelyfairycountrybeingdestroyed.Iwonderifwecouldn’tmanagetoescapeandgetbacktoKansasbymeansoftheMagicBelt?AndwemighttakeOzmawithusandallworkhardtogetmoneyforher,soshewouldn’tbesoVERYlonelyandunhappyaboutthelossofherfairyland.