The Patchwork Girl of Oz. Baum Lyman Frank

know nothing of a grocery store or bones without meat or – very much else."

      "No," said the cat; "she's stark, staring, raving crazy, and her brains can't be pink, for they don't work properly."

      "Bother the brains!" cried Scraps. "Who cares for 'em, anyhow? Have you noticed how beautiful my patches are in this sunlight?"

      Just then they heard a sound as of footsteps pattering along the path behind them and all three turned to see what was coming. To their astonishment they beheld a small round table running as fast as its four spindle legs could carry it, and to the top was screwed fast a phonograph with a big gold horn.

      "Hold on!" shouted the phonograph. "Wait for me!"

      "Goodness me; it's that music thing which the Crooked Magician scattered the Powder of Life over," said Ojo.

      "So it is," returned Bungle, in a grumpy tone of voice; and then, as the phonograph overtook them, the Glass Cat added sternly: "What are you doing here, anyhow?"

      "I've run away," said the music thing. "After you left, old Dr. Pipt and I had a dreadful quarrel and he threatened to smash me to pieces if I didn't keep quiet. Of course I wouldn't do that, because a talking-machine is supposed to talk and make a noise – and sometimes music. So I slipped out of the house while the Magician was stirring his four kettles and I've been running after you all night. Now that I've found such pleasant company, I can talk and play tunes all I want to."

      Ojo was greatly annoyed by this unwelcome addition to their party. At first he did not know what to say to the newcomer, but a little thought decided him not to make friends.

      "We are traveling on important business," he declared, "and you'll excuse me if I say we can't be bothered."

      "How very impolite!" exclaimed the phonograph.

      "I'm sorry; but it's true," said the boy. "You'll have to go somewhere else."

      "This is very unkind treatment, I must say," whined the phonograph, in an injured tone. "Everyone seems to hate me, and yet I was intended to amuse people."

      "It isn't you we hate, especially," observed the Glass Cat; "it's your dreadful music. When I lived in the same room with you I was much annoyed by your squeaky horn. It growls and grumbles and clicks and scratches so it spoils the music, and your machinery rumbles so that the racket drowns every tune you attempt."

      "That isn't my fault; it's the fault of my records. I must admit that I haven't a clear record," answered the machine.

      "Just the same, you'll have to go away," said Ojo.

      "Wait a minute," cried Scraps. "This music thing interests me. I remember to have heard music when I first came to life, and I would like to hear it again. What is your name, my poor abused phonograph?"

      "Victor Columbia Edison," it answered.

      "Well, I shall call you 'Vic' for short," said the Patchwork Girl. "Go ahead and play something."

      "It'll drive you crazy," warned the cat.

      "I'm crazy now, according to your statement. Loosen up and reel out the music, Vic."

      "The only record I have with me," explained the phonograph, "is one the Magician attached just before we had our quarrel. It's a highly classical composition."

      "A what?" inquired Scraps.

      "It is classical music, and is considered the best and most puzzling ever manufactured. You're supposed to like it, whether you do or not, and if you don't, the proper thing is to look as if you did. Understand?"

      "Not in the least," said Scraps.

      "Then, listen!"

      At once the machine began to play and in a few minutes Ojo put his hands to his ears to shut out the sounds and the cat snarled and Scraps began to laugh.

      "Cut it out, Vic," she said. "That's enough."

      But the phonograph continued playing the dreary tune, so Ojo seized the crank, jerked it free and threw it into the road. However, the moment the crank struck the ground it bounded back to the machine again and began winding it up. And still the music played.

      "Let's run!" cried Scraps, and they all started and ran down the path as fast as they could go. But the phonograph was right behind them and could run and play at the same time. It called out, reproachfully:

      "What's the matter? Don't you love classical music?"

      "No, Vic," said Scraps, halting. "We will passical the classical and preserve what joy we have left. I haven't any nerves, thank goodness, but your music makes my cotton shrink."