There is nothing to be done, said the little woman calmly.
But who was she? asked Dorothy.
She was the Wicked Witch of the East, as I said, answered the little
woman. She has held all the Munchkins in bondage for many years,
making them slave for her night and day. Now they are all set free, and
are grateful to you for the favor.
Who are the Munchkins? inquired Dorothy.
They are the people who live in this land of the East where the Wicked
Witch ruled.
Are you a Munchkin? asked Dorothy.
No, but I am their friend, although I live in the land of the North.
When they saw the Witch of the East was dead the Munchkins sent a swift
messenger to me, and I came at once. I am the Witch of the North.
Oh, gracious! cried Dorothy. Are you a real witch?
Yes, indeed, answered the little woman. But I am a good witch, and
the people love me. I am not as powerful as the Wicked Witch was who
ruled here, or I should have set the people free myself.
But I thought all witches were wicked, said the girl, who was half
frightened at facing a real witch.
Oh, no, that is a great mistake. There were only four witches in all
the Land of Oz, and two of them, those who live in the North and the
South, are good witches. I know this is true, for I am one of them
myself, and cannot be mistaken. Those who dwelt in the East and the
West were, indeed, wicked witches; but now that you have killed one of
them, there is but one Wicked Witch in all the Land of Oz the one who
lives in the West.
But, said Dorothy, after a moment s thought, Aunt Em has told me
that the witches were all dead years and years ago.
8