"It came down gradually, and not hurt bit But myself midst of strange people, who, seeing me come clouds, thought great Wizard I let them think so, because they were afraid of me, and promised anything I wished them to

"Just to amuse myself, and keep the good people busy, I ordered them to build this City, and my Palace; and it all willingly and well Then , country was so green and beautiful, call it the Emerald City; and to name fit better I put green spectacles on all the people, everything they saw was green "

"But isn't everything here green ? " asked Dorothy

"No more than in city," replied Oz; "but wear green spectacles, why everything looks green The Emerald City was built , for young man balloon brought me here, and very old man now But my people have worn green glasses on their eyes that most think it really is an Emerald City, and it certainly is beautiful place, abounding in jewels and precious metals, and every good thing needed one happy good people, like me; but ever Palace was built, shut myself up and see any

"One greatest fears Witches, for while I had no magical powers at all I soon found out Witches were really able wonderful things There were four country, ruled the people who live North and South and East and West Fortunately, the Witches North and South were good, and do me no harm; but the Witches East and West were terribly wicked, and had they not thought more powerful than they themselves, surely have destroyed me As , I lived in deadly fear for many years; so imagine how pleased when I heard your house had fallen Wicked Witch East came , willing to promise anything only do away other Witch; but, now that melted her, ashamed that keep my promises "

" very bad man," said Dorothy

"Oh, no, my dear; I'm really man, but I'm very bad Wizard, admit "

"Can't you brains ? " asked the Scarecrow

"You don't need them learning something every day baby has brains, but it doesn't know much Experience is that brings knowledge, longer on earth the more experience "

" all be true," said the Scarecrow, "but very unhappy unless you brains "

The false Wizard looked at him carefully

"Well," with sigh, "I'm not much of magician, as ; but come tomorrow morning, stuff your head with brains tell you how to use them, however; find that out "

"Oh, -- ! " cried the Scarecrow "I'll find way to use them, never fear ! "

"But how courage ? " asked the Lion anxiously

" plenty of courage, ," answered Oz "All is confidence in yourself no living thing afraid when it faces danger The True courage is in facing danger afraid, kind of courage in plenty "

"Perhaps , but I'm scared just the same," said the Lion " really be very unhappy unless you the sort of courage that makes one forget afraid "

" , that sort of courage tomorrow," replied Oz

"How heart ? " asked the Tin Woodman

"Why, as ," answered Oz, " wrong to want heart It makes most people unhappy only knew it, in luck not heart "

" be matter of opinion," said the Tin Woodman " part, bear all the unhappiness without murmur, the heart "

" ," answered Oz meekly "Come tomorrow and heart played Wizard for years that continue the part little longer "

"And now," said Dorothy, "how am I back to Kansas ? "

" ," replied the little man " days to consider the matter and I'll try way to carry you over the desert meantime you shall all be treated as my guests, and while you live Palace my people will wait upon you and obey your slightest wish only I ask in return help--such keep my secret and tell no one humbug "

They agreed nothing of what they had learned, and went back rooms in high spirits Even Dorothy had "The Great and Terrible Humbug," as she called him, would find way to send her back to Kansas, and if she was willing to forgive him everything

16 The Magic Art Great Humbug

Next morning the Scarecrow said friends:

"Congratulate me going to Oz my brains at last When I return as other men are "

" always liked you were," said Dorothy simply

" kind of you to like Scarecrow," he replied "But surely think more of me hear the splendid thoughts my new brain is going out " Then good-bye all in cheerful voice and went Throne Room, where he rapped door

"Come in," said Oz

The Scarecrow went in and found the little man sitting down window, engaged in deep thought

" come brains," remarked the Scarecrow, little uneasily

"Oh, yes; sit down chair, please," replied Oz " excuse me for taking your head off, but your brains in their proper place "

"That's all right," said the Scarecrow " quite welcome my head off, as long better one put it on again "

So the Wizard unfastened his head and emptied out the straw Then he entered the back room and took up measure of bran, which he mixed with pins and needles Having shaken them together thoroughly, he filled the top Scarecrow's head mixture and stuffed the rest space with straw, to hold it in place

When he had fastened the Scarecrow's head body again to him, "Hereafter great man, for you lot of bran-new brains "

The Scarecrow was both pleased and proud fulfillment greatest wish, and having thanked Oz warmly he went back friends

Dorothy looked at him curiously His head was quite bulged out top with brains

"How feel ? " she asked

" wise indeed," he answered earnestly "When I get used to my brains know everything "

"Why are those needles and pins sticking out of your head ? " asked the Tin Woodman