L. Frank Baum: The Scarecrow of Oz

7. The Bumpy Man (continued)

 So the hill won't get uneasy --

 Get to coughing, or get sneezy --
For this monster bump, when frightened, is quite liable to
quakes.

"You can hear a bell that's ringing;

 I can feel some people's singing;
But a mountain isn't sensible of what goes on, and so

 When I hear a blizzard blowing

 Or it's raining hard, or snowing,
I tell it to the mountain and the mountain seems to know.

"Thus I benefit all people

 While I'm living on this steeple,
For I keep the mountain steady so my neighbors all may thrive.

 With my list'ning and my shouting

 I prevent this mount from spouting,
And that makes me so important that I'm glad that I'm alive."

When he had finished these lines of verse the Bumpy Man turned again to resume his stirring. The Ork laughed softly and Cap'n Bill whistled to himself and Trot made up her mind that the Mountain Ear must be a little crazy. But the Bumpy Man seemed satisfied that he had explained his position fully and presently he placed four stone plates upon the table and then lifted the kettle from the fire and poured some of its contents on each of the plates. Cap'n Bill and Trot at once approached the table, for they were hungry, but when she examined her plate the little girl exclaimed:

"Why, it's molasses candy!"

"To be sure," returned the Bumpy Man, with a pleasant smile. "Eat it quick, while it's hot, for it cools very quickly this winter weather."

With this he seized a stone spoon and began putting the hot molasses candy into his mouth, while the others watched him in astonishment.