The Scarecrow was calm under all circumstances

"Good morning ! " , politely

The stranger removed his hat with flourish, bowed very low, and then responded:

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"Good morning, one and all , as an aggregation, enjoying excellent health Permit me my card "

courteous speech it extended card toward the Scarecrow, who accepted it, turned it over and over, and handed it with shake head to Tip

The boy read aloud:

"MR H M WOGGLE-BUG, T E "

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"Dear me ! " ejaculated the Pumpkinhead, staring somewhat intently

"How very peculiar ! " said the Tin Woodman

Tip's eyes were round and wondering, Saw-Horse uttered sigh and turned away its head

" really Woggle-Bug ? " enquired the Scarecrow

"Most certainly, my ! " answered the stranger, briskly " my name card ? "

" ," said the Scarecrow "But may I ask what 'H M ' stands for ? "

"'H M ' means Highly Magnified," returned the Woggle-Bug, proudly

"Oh, " The Scarecrow viewed the stranger critically "And , in truth, highly magnified ? "

"Sir," said the Woggle-Bug, "I take you for gentleman of judgment and discernment Does it not occur that several thousand times greater than any Woggle-Bug you ever saw before ? Therefore plainly evident that Highly Magnified, and no good reason why doubt the fact "

"Pardon me," returned the Scarecrow "My brains are slightly mixed since last laundered Would it be improper to ask, also, what the 'T E ' end of stands for ? "

144

"Those letters express my degree," answered the Woggle-Bug, with condescending smile " more explicit, the initials mean that Thoroughly Educated "

"Oh ! " said the Scarecrow, much relieved

Tip yet taken his eyes off this wonderful personage What was great, round, buglike body supported upon two slender legs which ended in delicate feet -- the toes curling upward The body Woggle-Bug was rather flat, and judging from what seen of of glistening dark brown color back, while the front was striped with alternate bands of light brown and white, blending together edges Its arms were fully as slender as its legs, and upon rather long neck was perched its head -- not unlike the head of man, except that its nose ended in curling antenna, or "feeler," and its ears upper points bore antennae that decorated the sides head like two miniature, curling pig tails It admitted round, black eyes were rather bulging in appearance; but the expression Woggle-Bug's face was by no means unpleasant

For dress the insect wore dark-blue swallowtail coat with yellow silk lining and flower button-hole; vest of white duck that stretched

145 tightly across the wide body; knickerbockers of fawn-colored plush, fastened knees with gilt buckles; and, perched upon its small head, was jauntily set tall silk hat

Standing upright before our amazed friends the Woggle-Bug appeared fully as tall Tin Woodman; and surely no bug in all the Land of Oz had ever before attained so enormous size

"I confess," said the Scarecrow, "that your abrupt appearance has caused me surprise, and has startled my companions , however, circumstance will not distress you probably get used "

" apologize, I beg of you ! " returned the Woggle-Bug, earnestly "It affords me great pleasure people; for surely classed with ordinary insects and am entitled to both curiosity and admiration from those I meet "

" , indeed," agreed his Majesty

" permit me to seat myself in your august company," continued the stranger, " gladly relate my history, better able to comprehend my unusual -- may remarkable ? -- appearance "

" say what you please," answered the Tin Woodman, briefly

146

So the Woggle-Bug sat down grass, facing the little group of wanderers, and told them the following story:

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147 Highly Magnified History

" but honest that acknowledge beginning recital that born an ordinary Woggle-Bug," began the creature, in frank and friendly tone "Knowing no better, I used my arms as my legs for walking, and crawled under the edges of stones or hid roots of grasses with no thought beyond finding few insects smaller than myself to feed upon

"The chill nights rendered me stiff and motionless, for I wore no clothing, but the warm rays sun new life and restored me to activity horrible existence , but remember regular ordained existence of Woggle-Bugs, as of tiny creatures that inhabit the earth

"But Destiny had singled me out, humble though , for grander fate ! One day I crawled near

148 to country school house, and my curiosity being excited monotonous hum students within, bold to enter and creep along crack between two boards until I reached the far end, where, in front of hearth of glowing embers, sat the master at his desk

"No one noticed so small creature as Woggle-Bug, and when hearth was even warmer and more comfortable sunshine, I resolved to establish my future home beside it So charming nest between two bricks and hid myself therein for many, many months

"Professor Nowitall is, doubtless, the most famous scholar land of Oz, and after I began to listen lectures and discourses his pupils Not was more attentive humble, unnoticed Woggle-Bug, and I acquired fund of knowledge that myself confess is simply marvelous why I place 'T E ' Thoroughly Educated upon my cards; greatest pride lies fact world cannot produce another Woggle-Bug with tenth part own culture and erudition "

" blame you," said the Scarecrow "Education is thing proud of I'm educated myself The mess of brains given me Great

149 Wizard is considered by my friends unexcelled "

"Nevertheless," interrupted the Tin Woodman, "a good heart is, I believe, much more desirable than education or brains "

" ," said the Saw-Horse, "a good leg is more desirable than either "

"Could seeds be considered light of brains ? " enquired the Pumpkinhead, abruptly

"Keep quiet ! " commanded Tip, sternly

" , dear father," answered the obedient Jack

The Woggle-Bug listened patiently -- even respectfully -- remarks, and then resumed his story

" lived fully three years secluded school-house hearth," said he, "drinking thirstily ever-flowing fount of limpid knowledge before me "

"Quite poetical," commented the Scarecrow, nodding his head approvingly

"But one, day" continued the Bug, "a marvelous circumstance occurred that altered my very existence and brought me to my present pinnacle of greatness The

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150 Professor discovered me act of crawling across the hearth, and before escape he had caught me between his thumb and forefinger

"'My dear children,' said he, ' captured Woggle-Bug -- very rare and interesting specimen Do any of what Woggle-Bug is ? '

"'No ! ' yelled the scholars, in chorus

"'Then,' said the Professor, ' get out my famous magnifying-glass and throw the insect upon screen in highly-magnified condition, that all study carefully its peculiar construction and become acquainted with its habits and manner of life '

"He then brought from cupboard most curious instrument, and before realize what had happened myself thrown upon screen in highly-magnified state -- even now behold me

"The students stood up on their stools and craned their heads forward better view of me, and two little girls jumped sill of an open window where see more plainly

"'Behold ! ' cried the Professor, in loud voice, 'this highly-magnified Woggle-Bug; curious insects in existence ! '

"Being Thoroughly Educated, and knowing required of cultured gentleman, juncture I stood upright and, placing my hand upon my

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"THEE STUDENTS STOOD UP ON THEIR STOOLS "

152 bosom, made very polite bow My action, being unexpected, startled them, for little girls perched window-sill gave scream and fell backward out the window, drawing her companion with her as she disappeared

"The Professor uttered cry of horror and rushed away door poor children were injured fall The scholars followed after him in wild mob, and left alone school-room, still in Highly-Magnified state and free as I pleased

"It immediately occurred was good opportunity to escape proud great size, and realized that now safely travel anywhere , while my superior culture would make me fit associate most learned person chance to meet

"So, while the Professor picked the little girls -- who were more frightened than hurt -- off the ground, pupils clustered around him closely grouped, I calmly walked school-house, turned corner, and escaped unnoticed to grove of trees that stood near"

"Wonderful ! " exclaimed the Pumpkinhead, admiringly

" , indeed," agreed the Woggle-Bug "I

153 have never ceased to congratulate myself for escaping while Highly Magnified; for even my excess-

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ive knowledge proved of little use had I remained tiny, insignificant insect "

"I didn't know before," said Tip, looking

154 Woggle-Bug with puzzled expression, "that insects wore clothes "