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6. The Heads of Langwidere
Nowwearefreefromthoseuglycreatures."
ButjustthenalargebandofWheelersrolledfromtheforest,andrelyingupontheirnumberstoconquer,theyadvancedfiercelyuponTiktok.DorothygrabbedBillinainherarmsandheldhertight,andthemachineembracedtheformofthelittlegirlwithhisleftarm,thebettertoprotecther.ThentheWheelerswereuponthem.
Rattlety,bang!bang!wentthedinner-pailineverydirection,anditmadesomuchclatterbumpingagainsttheheadsoftheWheelersthattheyweremuchmorefrightenedthanhurtandfledinagreatpanic.All,thatis,excepttheirleader.ThisWheelerhadstumbledagainstanotherandfallenflatuponhisback,andbeforehecouldgethiswheelsunderhimtoriseagain,Tiktokhadfastenedhiscopperfingersintotheneckofthegorgeousjacketofhisfoeandheldhimfast.
"Tellyourpeo-pletogoa-way,"commandedthemachine.
TheleaderoftheWheelershesitatedtogivethisorder,soTiktokshookhimasaterrierdogdoesarat,untiltheWheeler’steethrattledtogetherwithanoiselikehailstonesonawindowpane.Then,assoonasthecreaturecouldgetitsbreath,itshoutedtotheotherstorollaway,whichtheyimmediatelydid.
"Now,"saidTiktok,"youshallcomewithusandtellmewhatIwanttoknow."
"You’llbesorryfortreatingmeinthisway,"whinedtheWheeler."I’materriblyfierceperson."
"Asforthat,"answeredTiktok,"Iamonlyama-chine,andcan-notfeelsor-roworjoy,nomat-terwhathap-pens.Butyouarewrongtothinkyour-selfter-ri-bleorfierce."
"Whyso?"askedtheWheeler.
