" ," answered the Blue Rabbit; "I dug it that way so roam broad fields, by going out , or eat the cabbages in Nimmie Amee's garden by leaving my burrow other end I don't think Nimmie Amee ought to mind the little I take from her garden, or the hole I've made under her magic wall rabbit may go and come as he pleases, but no one bigger than could get through my burrow "

" allow us through it, able to ? " inquired Polychrome

"Yes, indeed," answered the Blue Rabbit "I'm no especial friend of Nimmie Amee, for once she threw stones at me, just because nibbling some lettuce, and only yesterday she yelled 'Shoo ! ' at me, which made me nervous You're welcome to use my burrow in you choose "

"But all nonsense ! " declared Woot the Wanderer " too big to crawl through rabbit's burrow "

" too big now," agreed the Scarecrow, "but remember that Polychrome is fairy, and fairies have many magic powers "

Woot's face brightened as he turned lovely Daughter Rainbow

"Could you make us all as small rabbit ? " he asked eagerly

" try," answered Polychrome, with smile And presently she did it -- so easily that Woot was not the astonished now tiny people grouped themselves rabbit's burrow the hole appeared like the entrance to tunnel, which indeed

"I'll go first," said wee Polychrome, who had made herself grow as small others, and tunnel she danced without hesitation tiny Scarecrow went next and then the two funny little tin men

"Walk in; it's your turn," said the Blue Rabbit to Woot the Wanderer "I'm coming after, how you get along regular surprise party to Nimmie Amee "

So Woot entered the hole and felt his way along its smooth sides dark until he finally saw the glimmer of daylight ahead and knew the journey was almost over Had he remained his natural size, the distance covered in few steps, but to thumb-high Woot quite promenade When he emerged burrow himself but short distance house, center vegetable garden, where the leaves of rhubarb waving above his head seemed like trees Outside the hole, and waiting for him, all his friends

" , so good ! " remarked the Scarecrow cheerfully

"Yes; , but no farther," returned the Tin Woodman in plaintive and disturbed tone of voice " now close to Nimmie Amee, whom come ever to seek, but girl to marry such little man as now "

"I'm no bigger than toy soldier ! " said Captain Fyter, sorrowfully "Unless Polychrome can make us big again, little use visiting Nimmie Amee at all, for I'm sure she wouldn't care for husband she might carelessly step on and ruin "

Polychrome laughed merrily

"If I make you big, 't get out of here again," said she, "and remain little Nimmie Amee will laugh at you So make your choice "

" we'd better go back," said Woot seriously

"No," said the Tin Woodman, stoutly, " decided 's my duty Nimmie Amee happy, she wishes to marry me "

"So have I," announced Captain Fyter "A good soldier never shrinks from doing his duty "

"As ," said the Scarecrow, "tin doesn't shrink any of, under any circumstances But Woot and I intend to stick to our comrades, whatever they decide , so ask Polychrome us as big were before "

Polychrome agreed request and in half minute all , including herself, enlarged again natural sizes They then thanked the Blue Rabbit kind assistance, and at once approached the house of Nimme Amee

Chapter Twenty-Two

Nimmie Amee

We that moment our friends were all anxious the end adventure that had caused them trials and troubles Perhaps the Tin Woodman's heart beat any faster, because it of red velvet and stuffed with sawdust, Tin Soldier's heart of tin and reposed tin bosom without hint of emotion However, little doubt both knew that critical moment in their lives had arrived, Nimmie Amee's decision was destined to influence the future of one or the other

assumed their natural sizes rhubarb leaves that had before towered above their heads now barely covered their feet, they looked around the garden and found that no person was visible save themselves No sound of activity came house, either, but they walked front door, which had little porch built before it, and there the two tinmen stood side by side while both knocked door with their tin knuckles

As no one seemed eager to answer the summons they knocked again; and then again Finally they heard stir from within and someone coughed

"Who's there ? " called girl's voice

"It's I ! " cried the tin twins, together

"How did you get there ? " asked the voice

They hesitated how to reply, so Woot answered :

" of magic "

"Oh," said the unseen girl " friends, or foes ? "

"Friends ! " they all exclaimed

Then they heard footsteps approach the door, which slowly opened and revealed very pretty Munchkin girl standing doorway

"Nimmie Amee ! " cried the tin twins

"That's my name," replied the girl, looking at them in cold surprise "But who be ? "

"Don't me, Nimmie ? " said the Tin Woodman "I'm your old sweetheart, Nick Chopper ! "

"Don't me, my dear ? " said the Tin Soldier "I'm your old sweetheart, Captain Fyter ! "

Nimmie Amee smiled at them both Then she looked beyond them rest party and smiled again However, she seemed more amused than pleased

"Come in," she said, leading the way inside "Even sweethearts are forgotten after time, but you and your friends are welcome "

The room they now entered was cosy and comfortable, being neatly furnished and well swept and dusted But they found someone there besides Nimmie Amee man dressed attractive Munchkin costume was lazily reclining in an easy chair, and he sat up and turned his eves visitors with cold and indifferent stare that was almost insolent even rise seat to greet the strangers, but after glaring at them he looked away with scowl, as were of too little importance to interest him

The tin men returned this man's stare with interest, but look away because neither seemed able his eyes off this Munchkin, who was remarkable in having one tin arm quite like their own tin arms

"Seems ," said Captain Fyter, in voice that sounded harsh and indignant, "that you, sir, are vile impostor ! "

"Gently -- gently ! " cautioned the Scarecrow; "don't be rude to strangers, Captain "

"Rude ? " shouted the Tin Soldier, now provoked; "why, he's scoundrel -- thief ! The villain is wearing my own head ! "

"Yes," added the Tin Woodman, "and he's wearing my right arm ! recognize it two warts little finger "

"Good gracious ! " exclaimed Woot "Then this the man whom old Ku-Klip patched together and named Chopfyt "

The man now turned toward them, still scowling

"Yes, my name," in voice like growl, "and absurd tin creatures, or for anyone else, to claim my head, or arm, or any part of me, for my personal property "

"You ? You're Nobody ! " shouted Captain Fyter

"You're just mix-up," declared the Emperor

"Now, now, gentlemen," interrupted Nimmie Amee, " more respectful to poor Chopfyt For, being my guests, polite to insult my husband "

"Your husband ! " the tin twins exclaimed in dismay

"Yes," said she "I married Chopfyt , because my other two sweethearts had deserted me "

This reproof embarrassed both Nick Chopper and Captain Fyter They looked down, shamefaced, for moment, and then the Tin Woodman explained in an earnest voice:

"I rusted "

"So did I," said the Tin Soldier

" know that, ," asserted Nimmie Amee "All neither of you came to marry me, had promised But men scarce Land of Oz After here to live, I met Mr Chopfyt, and he more interesting because he reminded me strongly of both of you, were became tin He even had tin arm, reminded me of you the more

"No wonder ! " remarked the Scarecrow

"But, listen, Nimmie Amee ! " said the astonished Woot; "he really is both , for made cast-off parts "

"Oh, you're quite wrong," declared Polychrome, laughing, for she was greatly enjoying the confusion others "The tin men are still themselves, tell you, and so Chopfyt someone else "

They looked at her bewildered, facts case were too puzzling grasped at once

" all the fault of old Ku-Klip," muttered the Tin Woodman "He had no right to use our castoff parts another man with "

"It seems it, however," said Nimmie Amee calmly, "and I married him because he resembled you both I won't say husband proud of, because he has mixed nature and isn't always an agreeable companion times when to chide him gently, both with my tongue and with my broomstick But my husband, and best of him "

" don't like him," suggested the Tin Woodman, "Captain Fyter and chop him up axe and sword, and each take such parts fellow as belong to him Then willing to select one of us husband "

" good idea," approved Captain Fyter, drawing his sword