Saying this, Mrs Yoop rose from her chair and walked through doorway into another room So heavy tread Giantess that even the walls big stone castle trembled as she stepped She closed the door of her bedroom behind her, and then suddenly the light went out three prisoners found themselves in total darkness

The Tin Woodman Scarecrow didn't mind the dark at all, but Woot the Wanderer felt worried left strange place strange manner, without being able any danger that might threaten

"The big woman given me bed, anyhow," companions, and scarcely had he spoken when something press against his legs, which were then dangling seat chair Leaning down, he put out his hand and found that bedstead had appeared, with mattress, sheets and covers, all complete no time in slipping down bed and was soon fast asleep

During the night the Scarecrow Emperor talked in low tones together, got chair and moved all room, feeling for some hidden spring that might open door or window and permit them to escape

Morning found them still unsuccessful quest and daylight Woot's bed suddenly disappeared, and he dropped floor with thump that quickly wakened him And after time the Giantess came from her bedroom, wearing another dress that was quite as elaborate one she attired the evening before, and also wearing the pretty lace apron Having seated herself in chair, she said:

"I'm hungry; so I'll have breakfast at once "

She clapped her hands together and instantly the table appeared before her, spread with snowy linen and laden with golden dishes But no food table, nor anything else except pitcher of water, bundle of weeds and handful of pebbles But the Giantess poured some water into her coffee-pot, patted it with her hand, and then poured out cupful of steaming hot coffee

"Would you like some ? " she asked Woot

suspicious of magic coffee, but it smelled so good that resist it; so he answered: " please, Madam "

The Giantess poured out another cup and set it floor for Woot as big as tub, golden spoon saucer beside the cup was so heavy the boy could scarcely lift it But Woot managed sip coffee and found it delicious

Mrs Yoop next transformed the weeds into dish of oatmeal, which she ate with good appetite

"Now, then," said she, picking up the pebbles "I'm wondering whether fish-balls or lamb-chops to complete my meal Which would you prefer, Woot the Wanderer ? "

" please, I'll eat the food in my knapsack," answered the boy "Your magic food might taste good, but I'm afraid of it "

The woman laughed at his fears and transformed the pebbles into fish-balls

"I suppose that after you had eaten this food it would turn to stones again and make you sick," she remarked; "but impossible Nothing I transform ever gets back to its former shape again, so these fish-balls can never more be pebbles why careful transformations," she added, busily eating while she talked, "for while change forms at will never change them back again -- which proves that even the powers of clever Yookoohoo are limited When transformed you three people, always wear the shapes that you "

"Then please don't transform us," begged Woot, "for quite satisfied to remain "

" not expecting to satisfy you, but intend myself," she declared, "and my pleasure is new shapes For, if by chance your friends came in search of you, not to recognize you "

Her tone was so positive knew it useless to protest The woman was not unpleasant to look at; her face was not cruel; her voice was big but gracious in tone; but her words showed that she possessed merciless heart and no pleadings would alter her wicked purpose

Mrs Yoop took ample time to finish her breakfast prisoners had no desire to hurry her, but finally the meal was concluded and she folded her napkin and made the table disappear by clapping her hands together Then she turned to her captives and said:

"The next thing programme is your forms "

" decided what forms to ? " asked the Scarecrow, uneasily

"Yes; I dreamed it all out while asleep This Tin Man seems very solemn person " -- indeed, the Tin Woodman was looking solemn, just then, for greatly disturbed -- "so change him into an Owl "

All she did was to point one finger at him as she spoke, but immediately the form Tin Woodman began and in few seconds Nick Chopper, the Emperor Winkies, transformed into an Owl, with eyes as big as saucers and hooked beak and strong claws But still tin Tin Owl, with tin legs and beak and eyes and feathers When he flew back of chair and perched upon it, his tin feathers rattled against one another with tinny clatter The Giantess seemed much amused Tin Owl's appearance, for her laugh was big and jolly

"You're not liable lost," said she, "for your wings and feathers will make racket wherever you go And, on my word, Tin Owl is so rare and pretty an improvement ordinary bird intend you tin, but I forgot to wish you meat However, tin you were, and tin , and as it's too late you, that settles it "

Until now the Scarecrow had rather doubted the possibility of Mrs Yoop's being able to transform him, or his friend the Tin Woodman, for they made as ordinary people are He had worried more over what might happen to Woot than to himself, but now he began to worry about himself

"Madam," hastily, "I consider this action very impolite It may even be called rude, considering your guests "

" guests, for invite you here," she replied

"Perhaps not; but we craved hospitality We threw ourselves upon your mercy, so , and we now find no mercy Therefore, excuse the expression, say downright wicked our proper forms away and others that care for "

" trying me angry ? " she asked, frowning

"By no means," said the Scarecrow; "I'm just trying you act more ladylike "

"Oh, indeed ! In my opinion, Mr Scarecrow, now acting like bear -- so Bear you shall be ! "

Again the dreadful finger pointed, Scarecrow's direction, and at once his form began In few seconds he had become small Brown Bear, but stuffed with straw as he before, and little Brown Bear shuffled across the floor just as wobbly Scarecrow and moved just as awkwardly

Woot was amazed, but also thoroughly frightened

"Did it hurt ? " he asked the little Brown Bear

"No, not," growled the Scarecrow Bear's form; "but I don't like walking on four legs; it's undignified "

"Consider my humiliation ! " chirped the Tin Owl, trying to settle its tin feathers smoothly with its tin beak "And 't see , either The light seems to hurt my eyes "

"That's because an Owl," said Woot " better dark "

"Well," remarked the Giantess, "I'm pleased new forms, part, and I'm sure like them better get used So now," she added, turning boy, " your turn "

"Don't you'd better leave me as ? " asked Woot in trembling voice

"No," she replied, "I'm going Monkey of you I love monkeys -- they're so cute ! -- and Green Monkey lots of fun and amuse me when sad "

Woot shivered, for again the terrible magic finger pointed, and pointed directly his way himself changing; not so , however, and it didn't hurt him bit He looked down at his limbs and body and found that his clothes were gone skin covered with fine, silk-like green fur His hands and feet were now those of monkey He realized he really was monkey, first feeling was one of anger He began to chatter as monkeys do He bounded seat of giant chair, and then to its back and with wild leap sprang laughing Giantess His idea was to seize her hair and pull it out roots, and so have revenge for her wicked transformations But she raised her hand and said:

"Gently, my dear Monkey -- gently ! You're not angry; you're happy as ! "

Woot stopped short No; he wasn't bit angry now; as good-humored and gay as ever when boy Instead of pulling Mrs Yoop's hair, he perched on her shoulder and smoothed her soft cheek hairy paw In return, she smiled funny green animal and patted his head

" ," said the Giantess " all become friends and be happy together How is my Tin Owl feeling ? "

"Quite comfortable," said the Owl "I don't like it, , but I'm not going to allow my new form me unhappy But, tell me, please: Tin Owl good for ? "

" only good me laugh," replied the Giantess

"Will stuffed Bear also make you laugh ? " inquired the Scarecrow, sitting back haunches to look up at her

" ," declared the Giantess; "and added little magic to your transformations you all contented with wearing your new forms I'm sorry I didn't think to when I transformed Polychrome into Canary-Bird But perhaps, when she sees how cheerful , she will cease silent and sullen and take to singing go get the bird and let her "