23. How They Encountered the Flutterbudgets

           Theyweresoonamongtheprettyhillsandvalleysagain,andtheSawhorsespeduphillanddownatafastandeasypace,theroadsbeinghardandsmooth.Mileaftermilewasspeedilycovered,andbeforetheridehadgrownatalltiresometheysightedanothervillage.TheplaceseemedevenlargerthanRigmaroleTown,butwasnotsoattractiveinappearance.

           "ThismustbeFlutterbudgetCenter,"declaredtheWizard."Yousee,it’snotroubleatalltofindplacesifyoukeeptotherightroad."

           "WhataretheFlutterbudgetslike?"inquiredDorothy.

           "Idonotknow,mydear.ButOzmahasgiventhematownalltheirown,andI’veheardthatwheneveroneofthepeoplebecomesaFlutterbudgetheissenttothisplacetolive."

           "Thatistrue,"OmbyAmbyadded;"FlutterbudgetCenterandRigmaroleTownarecalled’theDefensiveSettlementsofOz.’"

           Thevillagetheynowapproachedwasnotbuiltinavalley,butontopofahill,andtheroadtheyfollowedwoundaroundthehill,likeacorkscrew,ascendingthehilleasilyuntilitcametothetown.

           "Lookout!"screamedavoice."Lookout,oryou’llrunovermychild!"

           Theygazedaroundandsawawomanstandinguponthesidewalknervouslywringingherhandsasshegazedatthemappealingly.

           "Whereisyourchild?"askedtheSawhorse.

           "Inthehouse,"saidthewoman,burstingintotears;"butifitshouldhappentobeintheroad,andyouranoverit,thosegreatwheelswouldcrushmydarlingtojelly.Ohdear!ohdear!Thinkofmydarlingchildbeingcrushedintojellybythosegreatwheels!"

           "Gid-dap!"saidtheWizardsharply,andtheSawhorsestartedon.