The goose sighed. "I used to think so, Snip, but I've traveled so far searching for the King, I'm homesick for my slippers, a quiet old castle and my pipe. Haven't had a smoke since I was a goose," mourned the poor prime minister, rolling his eyes sadly. Snip couldn't help thinking how funny Pajuka would look with a pipe and a pair of slippers, but he stifled this thought quickly.
"Don't you care!" he whispered comfortingly. "You'll find the King and when we reach the Emerald City, I'll tell Ozma all about you," he promised, lowering his voice so Mombi could not hear. "I am sure she'll help us."
"What are you whispering about?" snarled the witch, glaring back suspiciously.
"About a second," whistled Pajuka, soaring into the air. "Hello, what's this?"
"Why, it's the Corners," cried Snip, running ahead to read a large sign suspended from a pussy willow under the great gray walls.
"Catty Corners," announced the sign, in black scratchy letters.
"Catty Corners," hissed the goose. "Well, this is no place for me. Let us fly at once!"