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19. The King of Ev
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"Oh,tinisanexcellentmaterial,"theScarecrowhastenedtosay;"andifanythingeverhappenedtopoorNickChopperhewasalwayseasilysoldered.Besides,hedidnothavetobewoundup,andwasnotliabletogetoutoforder."
"Isome-timeswish,"saidTiktok,"thatIwasstuffedwithstraw,asyouare.Itishardtobemadeofcop-per."
"Ihavenoreasontocomplainofmylot,"repliedtheScarecrow."Alittlefreshstraw,nowandthen,makesmeasgoodasnew.ButIcanneverbethepolishedgentlemanthatmypoordepartedfriend,theTinWoodman,was."
YoumaybesuretheroyalchildrenofEvandtheirQueenmotherweredelightedatseeingagaintheirbelovedcountry;andwhenthetowersofthepalaceofEvcameintoviewtheycouldnotforbearcheeringatthesight.LittleEvring,ridinginfrontofDorothy,wassooverjoyedthathetookacurioustinwhistlefromhispocketandblewashrillblastthatmadetheSawhorseleapandpranceinsuddenalarm.
"Whatisthat?"askedBillina,whohadbeenobligedtoflutterherwingsinordertokeepherseatupontheheadofthefrightenedSawhorse.
"That’smywhistle,"saidPrinceEvring,holdingitoutuponhishand.
Itwasintheshapeofalittlefatpig,madeoftinandpaintedgreen.Thewhistlewasinthetailofthepig.
"Wheredidyougetit?"askedtheyellowhen,closelyexaminingthetoywithherbrighteyes.
"Why,IpickeditupintheNomeKing’spalace,whileDorothywasmakingherguesses,andIputitinmypocket,"answeredthelittlePrince.
Billinalaughed;oratleastshemadethepeculiarcacklethatservedherforalaugh.
