'This,' said the Gump, in a squeaky voice not at all proportioned to the size of its great body, 'is the most novel experience I ever heard of. The last thing I remember distinctly is walking through the forest and hearing a loud noise.
Something probably killed me then, and it certainly ought to have been the end of me. Yet here I am, alive again, with four monstrous wings and a body which I venture to say would make any respectable animal or fowl weep with shame to own.
What does it all mean? Am I a Gump, or am I a juggernaut? ' The creature, as it spoke, wiggled its chin whiskers in a very comical manner. 'You’re just a Thing,' answered Tip, 'with a Gump’s head on it.
And we have made you and brought you to life so that you may carry us through the air wherever we wish to go. ' 'Very good! ' said the Thing. 'As I am not a Gump, I cannot have a Gump’s pride or independent spirit.
So I may as well become your servant as anything else. My only satisfaction is that I do not seem to have a very strong constitution, and am not likely to live long in a state of slavery. ' 'Don’t say that, I beg of you!
' cried the Tin Woodman, whose excellent heart was strongly affected by this sad speech. 'Are you not feeling well today? ' 'Oh, as for that,' returned the Gump, 'it is my first day of existence; so I cannot Judge whether I am feeling well or ill.
' And it waved its broom tail to and fro in a pensive manner. 'Come, come! ' said the Scarecrow, kindly. 'do try, to be more cheerful and take life as you find it. We shall be kind