Well, said the Head, I will give you my answer. You have no right to
expect me to send you back to Kansas unless you do something for me in
return. In this country everyone must pay for everything he gets. If
you wish me to use my magic power to send you home again you must do
something for me first. Help me and I will help you.
What must I do? asked the girl.
Kill the Wicked Witch of the West, answered Oz.
But I cannot! exclaimed Dorothy, greatly surprised.
You killed the Witch of the East and you wear the silver shoes, which
bear a powerful charm. There is now but one Wicked Witch left in all
this land, and when you can tell me she is dead I will send you back to
Kansas but not before.
The little girl began to weep, she was so much disappointed; and the
eyes winked again and looked upon her anxiously, as if the Great Oz
felt that she could help him if she would.
I never killed anything, willingly, she sobbed. Even if I wanted to,
how could I kill the Wicked Witch? If you, who are Great and Terrible,
cannot kill her yourself, how do you expect me to do it?
I do not know, said the Head; but that is my answer, and until the
Wicked Witch dies you will not see your uncle and aunt again. Remember
that the Witch is Wicked tremendously Wicked and ought to be killed.
Now go, and do not ask to see me again until you have done your task.
Sorrowfully Dorothy left the Throne Room and went back where the Lion
and the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman were waiting to hear what Oz had
said to her. There is no hope for me, she said sadly, for Oz will
not send me home until I have killed the Wicked Witch of the West; and
that I can never do.
Her friends were sorry, but could do nothing to help her; so Dorothy
went to her own room and lay down on the bed and cried herself to
sleep.
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