"My experience was much the same," said the Tin Soldier "I used to bring all the parts of me, which the enchanted sword had cut away, here tinsmith, and Ku-Klip would put them barrel "

"I wonder," said Woot, "if those cast-off parts of you two unfortunates are still barrel corner ? "

"I suppose so " replied the Tin Woodman " Land of Oz no part of living creature can ever be destroyed "

" is true, how Wicked Witch destroyed ? " inquired Woot

"Why, she was very old and was all dried up and withered before Oz became fairyland," explained the Scarecrow "Only her magic arts had kept her alive , and when Dorothy's house fell upon her she just turned to dust, and was blown away and scattered wind , however, parts cut away two young men could ever be entirely destroyed and, still in those barrels, likely just the same as enchanted axe or sword severed them "

"It doesn't matter, however," said the Tin Woodman; "our tin bodies are more brilliant and durable, and quite satisfy us "

"Yes, the tin bodies are best," agreed the Tin Soldier "Nothing can hurt them "

"Unless they get dented or rusted," said Woot, but both the tin men frowned on him

Scraps of tin, of all shapes and sizes, lay scattered around the workshop Also there were hammers and anvils and soldering irons and charcoal furnace and tools such as tinsmith works with Against two side walls built stout work-benches and center room was long table end shop, which adjoined the dwelling, were several cupboards

After examining the interior workshop until his curiosity was satisfied, Woot said;

" go outside until Ku-Klip comes It seem quite proper possession house while absent "

" true," agreed the Scarecrow, were all about to leave the room Tin Woodman said: "Wait minute," halted in obedience command

Chapter Eighteen

The Tin Woodman Talks to Himself

The Tin Woodman had just noticed the cupboards and was curious what they contained, so he went to and opened the door There were shelves inside, and upon shelves about on level tin chin the Emperor discovered Head -- it looked like doll's head, only larger, and he soon saw it Head of some person facing the Tin Woodman and cupboard door swung back, the eyes Head slowly opened and looked at him The Tin Woodman was not at all surprised, for Land of Oz one runs into magic at every turn

"Dear me ! " said the Tin Woodman, staring hard "It seems I had met you, somewhere, before Good morning, sir ! "

" the advantage of me," replied the Head "I never saw you before in my life "

"Still, your face is very familiar," persisted the Tin Woodman "Pardon me, but may I ask -- eh -- eh -- ever had Body ? "

"Yes, at ," answered the Head, "but so 't remember it Did ," with pleasant smile, "that born just as ? That Head created without Body ? "

"No, not," said the other "But how came you to lose your body ? "

"Well, 't recollect the details; you'll have to ask Ku-Klip ," returned the Head "For, curious as it may seem , my memory good since my separation rest of me I still possess my brains and my intellect is as good as ever, but my memory of events I formerly experienced is quite hazy "

"How long been cupboard ? " asked the Emperor

"I don't know "

"Haven't you name ? "

"Oh, yes," said the Head; "I used called Nick Chopper, when woodman and cut down trees for living "

"Good gracious ! " cried the Tin Woodman in astonishment " Nick Chopper's Head, then Me -- or I'm You -- or -- or -- What relation are we, anyhow ? "

"Don't ask me," replied the Head " part, I'm not anxious to claim relationship with any common, manufactured article, like you all right in your class, but your class isn't my class You're tin "

The poor Emperor felt so bewildered that for time only stare at his old Head in silence Then :

" admit that I wasn't at all bad looking before I became tin You're almost handsome -- for meat If your hair was combed, you'd be quite attractive "

"How expect me to comb my hair without help ? " demanded the Head, indignantly "I used it smooth and neat, when I had arms, but after removed rest of me, my hair got mussed, and old Ku-Klip never has combed it "

"I'll speak to him ," said the Tin Woodman " remember loving pretty Munchkin girl named Nimmie Amee ? "

"No," answered the Head " foolish question The heart in my body -- when I had body -- loved someone, for all , but head isn't made to love; it's made "

"Oh; , then ? "

"I used "

" been shut up cupboard for years and years What thought about, in all ? "

"Nothing That's another foolish question little reflection will convince you that nothing about, except the boards inside cupboard door, and it didn't take me long of everything boards that thought of Then, , I quit thinking "

"And happy ? "

"Happy ? What's that ? "

"Don't what happiness is ? " inquired the Tin Woodman

"I haven't the faintest idea whether it's round or square, or black or white, or what And, pardon my lack of interest , say that I don't care "

The Tin Woodman was much puzzled answers His traveling companions had grouped themselves at his back, and had fixed their eyes Head and listened conversation with much interest, but until now, they interrupted because they thought the Tin Woodman had the best right own head and renew acquaintance with it

But now the Tin Soldier remarked:

"I wonder old head happens in any cupboards," and he proceeded to open all the cupboard doors But no other head was found on any shelves

"Oh, well; never mind," said Woot the Wanderer; " 't imagine what anyone wants of cast-off head, anyhow "

" understand the Soldier's interest," asserted Polychrome, dancing around the grimy workshop until her draperies formed cloud around her dainty form "For sentimental reasons man might like his old head once more, just as one likes to revisit an old home "

"And then to kiss it good-bye," added the Scarecrow

" tin thing won't try to kiss me good- bye ! " exclaimed the Tin Woodman's former head "And I don't see what right you folks have to disturb my peace and comfort, either "

"You belong ," the Tin Woodman declared

" ! "

"You and I are one "

"We've been parted," asserted the Head "It unnatural any interest in man made of tin Please close the door and leave me alone "

" think that my old Head so disagreeable," said the Emperor "I -- I'm quite ashamed of myself; meaning you "

"You glad that I've enough sense what my rights are," retorted the Head " cupboard leading simple life, peaceful and dignified, and when mob of people in whom not interested disturb me, the disagreeable ones; not I "

With sigh the Tin Woodman closed and latched the cupboard door and turned away

"Well," said the Tin Soldier, " old head treated me as coldly and in so unfriendly manner old head has treated you, friend Chopper, I'm glad find it "

"Yes; I'm rather surprised at my head, myself," replied the Tin Woodman, thoughtfully " I had more pleasant disposition when I of meat "

But just then old Ku-Klip the Tinsmith arrived, and surprised visitors Ku-Klip was stout man and short man He had his sleeves rolled above his elbows, showing muscular arms, and he wore leathern apron that covered all the front of him, and was that Woot was surprised he didn't step and trip whenever he walked And Ku-Klip had gray beard that was almost as long as his apron, head was bald on top ears stuck out head like two fans Over his eyes, which were bright and twinkling, he wore big spectacles easy tinsmith was kind hearted man, as merry and agreeable one "Oh-ho ! " he cried in joyous bass voice; "here are both my tin men come to visit me, and their friends are welcome indeed I'm very proud of you two characters, I assure you, are so perfect that proof that I'm good workman Sit down Sit down, all of you -- find anything to sit on -- and tell me why here "

So they found seats and told him all adventures thought like Ku- Klip was glad to learn that Nick Chopper, the Tin Woodman, was now Emperor Winkies and friend of Ozma of Oz, tinsmith was also interested Scarecrow and Polychrome

He turned the straw man around, examining him curiously, and patted him on all sides, and then said: