after the storm, and Polychrome goes away on
her Rainbow, then we will be prisoners inside the Wall of Solid Air; so
it seems best to start upon our return journey at once. If I get wet, my
straw stuffing will be ruined, and if you two tin gentlemen get wet, you
may perhaps rust again, and become useless. But even that is better than
to stay here. Once we are free of the barrier, we have Woot the Wanderer
to help us, and he can oil your joints and restuff my body, if it
becomes necessary, for the boy is made of meat, which neither rusts nor
gets soggy or moldy."

"Come along, then!" cried Polychrome from the window, and the others,
realizing the wisdom of the Scarecrow's speech, took leave of Nimmie
Amee, who was glad to be rid of them, and said good-bye to her husband,
who merely scowled and made no answer, and then they hurried from the
house.

"Your old parts are not very polite, I must say," remarked the
Scarecrow, when they were in the garden.

"No," said Woot, "Chopfyt is a regular grouch. He might have wished us
a pleasant journey, at the very least."

"I beg you not to hold us responsible for that creature's actions,"
pleaded the Tin Woodman. "We are through with Chopfyt and shall have
nothing further to do with him."

Polychrome danced ahead of the party and led them straight to the burrow
of the Blue Rabbit, which they might have had some difficulty in finding
without her. There she lost no time in making them all small again. The
Blue Rabbit was busy nibbling cabbage leaves in Nimmie Amee's garden, so
they did not ask his permission but at once entered the burrow.

Even now the raindrops were beginning to fall, but it was quite dry
inside the tunnel and by the time they had reached the other end,
outside the circular Wall of Solid Air, the storm was at its height and
the rain was coming down in torrents.

"Let us wait here," proposed Polychrome, peering out of the hole and
then quickly retreating. "The Rainbow won't appear until after the storm
and I can make you big again in a jiffy, before I join my sisters on our
bow."

"That's a good plan," said the Scarecrow approvingly. "It will save me
from getting soaked and soggy."

"It will save me from rusting," said the Tin Soldier.

"It will enable me to remain highly polished," said the Tin Woodman.

"Oh, as for that, I myself prefer not to get my pretty clothes wet,"
laughed the Rainbow's daughter. "But while we wait I will bid you all
adieu. I m