L.Frank Baum. The marvelous land of Oz -
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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 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. When the flames began to crackle the boy came to her and asked a
share of the bread and cheese; but Mombi refused him.
"I'm hungry!" said Tip, in a sulky tone.
"You won't be hungry long," replied Mombi, with a grim look.
The boy didn't like this speech, for it sounded like a threat; but he
happened to remember he had nuts in his pocket, so he cracked some of
those and ate them while the woman rose, shook the crumbs from her apron,
and hung above the fire a small black kettle.
Then she measured out equal parts of milk and vinegar and poured them
into the kettle. Next she produced several packets of herbs and powders