But not one halted or turned back.
They hurried forward more fierce and vengeful than ever.
28. How They Drank at the Forbidden Fountain
The Scarecrow had no need to sleep; neither had the Tin Woodman or Tiktok
or Jack Pumpkinhead. So they all wandered out into the palace grounds
and stood beside the sparkling water of the Forbidden Fountain until
daybreak. During this time they indulged in occasional conversation.
"Nothing could make me forget what I know," remarked the Scarecrow,
gazing into the fountain, "for I cannot drink the Water of Oblivion or
water of any kind. And I am glad that this is so, for I consider my
wisdom unexcelled."
"You are cer-tain-ly ve-ry wise," agreed Tiktok. "For my part, I can
on-ly think by ma-chin-er-y, so I do not pre-tend to know as much as
you do."
"My tin brains are very bright, but that is all I claim for them,"
said Nick Chopper, modestly. "Yet I do not aspire to being very wise,
for I have noticed that the happiest people are those who do not let
their brains oppress them."
"Mine never worry me," Jack Pumpkinhead acknowledged. "There are
many seeds of thought in my head, but they do not sprout easily.
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