Дороти и Волшебник в стране Оз
19. The Wizard Performs Another Trick
"Andnow,FellowCitizensandCreaturesoftheJury,Iassertthatsoawfulacrimedeservesdeath,andinthecaseoftheferociouscriminalbeforeyou—whoisnowwashingherface—thedeathpenaltyshouldbeinflictedninetimes."
Therewasgreatapplausewhenthespeakersatdown.ThenthePrincessspokeinasternvoice:
"Prisoner,whathaveyoutosayforyourself?Areyouguilty,ornotguilty?"
"Why,that’sforyoutofindout,"repliedEureka."IfyoucanproveI’mguilty,I’llbewillingtodieninetimes,butamind’seyeisnoproof,becausetheWoggle-Bughasnomindtoseewith."
"Nevermind,dear,"saidDorothy.
ThentheTinWoodmanaroseandsaid:
"RespectedJuryanddearlybelovedOzma,Iprayyounottojudgethisfelineprisonerunfeelingly.Idonotthinktheinnocentkittencanbeguilty,andsurelyitisunkindtoaccusealuncheonofbeingamurder.Eurekaisthesweetpetofalovelylittlegirlwhomwealladmire,andgentlenessandinnocenceareherchiefvirtues.Lookatthekitten’sintelligenteyes;"(hereEurekaclosedhereyessleepily)"gazeathersmilingcountenance!"(hereEurekasnarledandshowedherteeth)"markthetenderposeofhersoft,paddedlittlehands!"(HereEurekabaredhersharpclawsandscratchedatthebarsofthecage.)"Wouldsuchagentleanimalbeguiltyofeatingafellowcreature?No;athousandtimes,no!"
"Oh,cutitshort,"saidEureka;"you’vetalkedlongenough."
"I’mtryingtodefendyou,"remonstratedtheTinWoodman.
"Thensaysomethingsensible,"retortedthekitten.
