15. The Emperor's Tin Castle

           ThegroundsaroundNickChopper’snewhousewerelaidoutinprettyflower-beds,withfountainsofcrystalwaterandstatuesoftinrepresentingtheEmperor’spersonalfriends.Dorothywasastonishedanddelightedtofindatinstatueofherselfstandingonatinpedestalatabendintheavenueleadinguptotheentrance.Itwaslife-sizeandshowedherinhersunbonnetwithherbasketonherarm,justasshehadfirstappearedintheLandofOz.

           "Oh,Toto—you’retheretoo!"sheexclaimed;andsureenoughtherewasthetinfigureofTotolyingatthetinDorothy’sfeet.

           Also,DorothysawfiguresoftheScarecrow,andtheWizard,andOzma,andofmanyothers,includingTik-tok.Theyreachedthegrandtinentrancetothetincastle,andtheTinWoodmanhimselfcamerunningoutofthedoortoembracelittleDorothyandgiveheragladwelcome.Hewelcomedherfriendsaswell,andtheRainbow’sDaughterhedeclaredtobetheloveliestvisionhistineyeshadeverbeheld.HepattedButton-Bright’scurlyheadtenderly,forhewasfondofchildren,andturnedtotheshaggymanandshookbothhishandsatthesametime.

           NickChopper,theEmperoroftheWinkies,whowasalsoknownthroughouttheLandofOzastheTinWoodman,wascertainlyaremarkableperson.Hewasneatlymade,alloftin,nicelysolderedatthejoints,andhisvariouslimbswerecleverlyhingedtohisbodysothathecouldusethemnearlyaswellasiftheyhadbeencommonflesh.Once,hetoldtheshaggyman,hehadbeenmadealloffleshandbones,asotherpeopleare,andthenhechoppedwoodintheforeststoearnhisliving.