It will take me a little time to discover whether I am very
wise or very foolish."
"To be sure," said Mombi, thoughtfully.
"But what are you going to do with him, now he is alive?" asked Tip,
wondering.
"I must think it over," answered Mombi. "But we must get home at once, for
it is growing dark. Help the Pumpkinhead to walk."
"Never mind me," said Jack; "I can walk as well as you can. Haven't I got
legs and feet, and aren't they jointed?"
"Are they?" asked the woman, turning to Tip.
"Of course they are; I made 'em myself," returned the boy, with pride.
So they started for the house, but when they reached the farm yard old
Mombi led the pumpkin man to the cow stable and shut him up in an empty
stall, fastening the door securely on the outside.
"I've got to attend to you, first," she said, nodding her head at Tip.
Hearing this, the boy became uneasy; for he
24
knew Mombi had a bad and revengeful heart, and would not hesitate to do any
evil thing.
They entered the house. It was a round, domeshaped structure, as are nearly
all the farm houses in the Land of Oz.
Mombi bade the boy light a candle, while she put her basket in a cupboard
and hung her cloak on a peg. Tip obeyed quickly, for he was afraid of her.
After the candle had been lighted Mombi ordered him to build a fire in the
hearth, and while Tip was thus engaged the old woman ate her supper.
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