confidence in yourself. There is no living thing that is not afraid
when it faces danger. The True courage is in facing danger when you are
afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.
Perhaps I have, but I m scared just the same, said the Lion. I shall
really be very unhappy unless you give me the sort of courage that
makes one forget he is afraid.
Very well, I will give you that sort of courage tomorrow, replied Oz.
How about my heart? asked the Tin Woodman.
Why, as for that, answered Oz, I think you are wrong to want a
heart. It makes most people unhappy. If you only knew it, you are in
luck not to have a heart.
That must be a matter of opinion, said the Tin Woodman. For my part,
I will bear all the unhappiness without a murmur, if you will give me
the heart.
Very well, answered Oz meekly. Come to me tomorrow and you shall
have a heart. I have played Wizard for so many years that I may as well
continue the part a little longer.
And now, said Dorothy, how am I to get back to Kansas?
We shall have to think about that, replied the little man. Give me
two or three days to consider the matter and I ll try to find a way to
carry you over the desert. In the meantime you shall all be treated as
my guests, and while you live in the Palace my people will wait upon
you and obey your slightest wish. There is only one thing I ask in
return for my help such as it is. You must keep my secret and tell no
one I am a humbug.
They agreed to say nothing of what they had learned, and went back to
their rooms in high spirits. Even Dorothy had hope that The Great and
Terrible Humbug, as she called him, would find a way to send her back
to Kansas, and if he did she was willing to forgive him everything.
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